I applied to volunteer here during a master’s degree in the history of design at the University of Brighton. My specialist subject was dress history and I knew Worthing had a wonderful collection that would give me the perfect opportunity to gain hands-on experience with historic costume.
Over the past two years, I have been involved in many behind-the-scenes activities, including preparing clothing for exhibitions, writing labels, and helping document the archive.
I have learned how to use underpinnings to create the right silhouette for costumes of different eras and handled rare items. These include the oldest items in the collection – a 17th-century blackwork jacket and a beautiful pair of gauntlets embroidered with flowers and birds.
As a milliner and maker, I’ve been sewing clothes for as long as I can remember and am fascinated by how clothing has been constructed throughout history. I have huge respect for the craftspeople who made these things and a curiosity about what people wore in the past. It tells us so much about society and how we live.
Over the past two years, I have been involved in many behind-the-scenes activities, including preparing clothing for exhibitions, writing labels, and helping document the archive.
I have learned how to use underpinnings to create the right silhouette for costumes of different eras and handled rare items. These include the oldest items in the collection – a 17th-century blackwork jacket and a beautiful pair of gauntlets embroidered with flowers and birds.
As a milliner and maker, I’ve been sewing clothes for as long as I can remember and am fascinated by how clothing has been constructed throughout history. I have huge respect for the craftspeople who made these things and a curiosity about what people wore in the past. It tells us so much about society and how we live.
