Stepping Out - TAFE Sydney Institute

Assia Benmedjdoub talks to a current and former costume design student from TAFE Sydney Institute (Ultimo Campus) about working behind the spotlight.

Even when she was a young girl growing up in country NSW, Jennifer Drew had a feeling she was destined for the stage. Backstage, that is.

"I loved drama and had been involved in performance and also studied textiles and design throughout high school. Despite making costumes for high school performances, it never occurred to me that this could be an occupation."

Although Drew is still in the final year of a TAFE diploma in costume design, she's already managed to dispel that assumption. For the last ten months, the young designer has enjoyed full-time employment with the Sydney Theatre

Company; working under a "fantastic" tailor who's taught her the often difficult ropes of menswear design.
No two shows are the same, she says, although with her back-breaking schedule, it's surprising to hear she's had time to notice.

"It is a challenge to work on a big costume show during the day and then go home to face another four to five hours of work on my major project at night," she concedes. "Not such a really good work/life balance but…it is such a privilege to have a full time job in the costume industry."

So how did the undergraduate manage to land a role at one of Sydney's most respected theatre institutes?
"Hundreds of hours of unpaid work."

Since first commencing her TAFE course in 2004, Drew has harnessed every opportunity to come her way – from volunteer work in films and television to theatre, documentaries, the lot.

"I would love to get back into the film industry," she says. "I really enjoy the fast pace and atmosphere on a film, especially an Aussie film. As long as I can work in the industry, I'll be happy."

Lyndell Wright has a word of advice for students who think costume design is an exercise in glamour.
"Although designing is glamorous there is a lot more work out there in the actual, hands-on making of costumes than in the designing of them."

And for those who believe that big production budgets equate to big, ongoing pay cheques?
"Sewing is still 'women's work' so it is not well paid - if security and a fat pay packet are important to you then costuming is probably not a good career choice."

That's not to say she isn't relishing her position in the industry. Since graduating with a diploma of costume from Ultimo TAFE last year, Wright has worked at The Opera Centre as a full-time machinist; sewing, mending and altering costumes for Opera Australia. To fatten her pay packet (and knowledge base) Drew also currently works for The Vintage Clothing Shop, tipping away at everything from bookkeeping to mending garments and accessories. 

"It is lovely to be part of something so incredibly grand as an opera [but] I also love working at The Vintage Clothing Shop because I get to learn all the time from the vintage clothes. Earning a living from being creative, sewing and making things is quite wonderful."

So wonderful, in fact, that Drew plans on expanding her reach from theatre costuming to film and couture work.
"I'd like to get the opportunity to sew for movies and maybe even make some headwear. Perhaps I'll get to see something I knitted on the big screen, perhaps I'll get the opportunity to do some cutting or design work - the possibilities are endless and very exciting."

By Assia Benmedjdoub