Araminta Pain
Seamstress, Costume Designer and Writer
I'm Araminta, I find it difficult to give myself a job title as I do so many things: costume design, costume making, alterations and commissions, millinery to name a few.
I have experience of designing and making costumes for theatre and live performance. I am adept at constructing clothing and can bring a design on paper to life, fitting it to the individual. With a childhood spent performing in dance and theatre shows I love the buzz of being back stage and relish dressing roles.
I have also always loved visiting museums and historic houses, the times I spent as a child in these intriguing properties have led me to volunteer in fashion museums in Devon combining my love of clothes with social history.
I have now found another outlet for these passions as a writer; I review exhibitions, theatre shows, TV programmes and films for the Costume Society and on my personal blog (links in contacts).
On returning home from university I was inspired by my Mothers artistic talents that had blossomed while I had been away studying. Together we have set up a fledgling partnership called Leaf& Lace combining my Mums talents in Collagraph, Lino and Mono printmaking with my sewing talents to create unique home accessories such as cushions, bags and hats.
About Me.
Portfolio of Work
Costume Production Experience
Designer and Seamstress at Leaf& Lace
Creating handmade bags, cushions, table runners, hats and headpieces in partnership with my printmaker and textile designer mother.
October- Current: Exhibition Volunteer
Museum: Totnes Fashion and Textile Museum
Curator: Julia Fox
Assisted with deconstructing the annual exhibition, undressing mannequins and repackaging garments into storage.
May- Current: Costume Society Ambassador
Duties include, writing blog entry's for the website, promoting talks and conferences held by the society or those that promote the history of dress through social media.
October 2016 - May 2017: Costume Archive Volunteer
Museum: Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter
Curator: Shelly Tobin
Responsible for updating records on pieces in the collection, taking measurements, handling antique garments, checking for damage.
October - November 2016 : Costume Maker, Dresser
Production: On Tenterhooks,
Designer: Alex Gibbs
Company: Oceans All Over
Responsible for helping make 13 costumes and dressing performers at the performance.
February - May 2016 : Costume Designer, Maker, Dresser, Maintenance
Production: Alice in Wonderland
Director: Nigel Paul
Company: Exeter College Performing Arts
Designed and made the costume of the ‘Mouse’. Worked in small teams of 4-5 to maintain the show and dress the actors for the week’s run. Musical show.
April - June 2015 : Costume Maker
Production: Neptunalia
Designer: Fiona Chivers
Company: Cscape Dance Company
Produced one of three costumes for the ‘Busby Babes’, a site specific dance performance
CV
Key Skills / Attributes
Design Skills
Period and modern construction
Fashion History
Dressing
Fitting
Hand Embroidery
Alterations and Repairs
Cleaning Costumes
Pattern Cutting/Drafting
Industrial Machine Sewing
Fabric Manipulation and Dyeing
Tailoring
Organisation
Self Motivated
Proactive
Efficient
Education
BA (Hons) Costume Production & Associated Crafts (2:1)
Plymouth College of Art
Extended Diploma in Art and Design,(Distinction*)
Petroc College
12 GCSE’s A*-C
Park Community School
References on Request