Talia Servadio Kenan (Costume)

What’s been your highlight during your time at Guildhall?

The highlight of my time at Guildhall has hands down been getting work as a costume maker for ‘The Life of King Henry VIII: All is true’. I had an amazing time getting to realise the designs of the amazing Ryan Dawson-Laight by making Anne Boleyn’s huge teal ball gown as well as Katherine of Aragon’s pleather corset. I found it to be so in interesting to get to work with professional designers, student costume supervisors and lecturers over the course of the project, learning different things from each of them, this collaborative aspect is my favourite part my time at Guildhall. 

What’s been your highlight during your time in the industry?

I’ve loved getting to work as a dep dresser at ‘Matilda’ on the west end. Not only did it allow me to meet so many wonderful people from fellow dressers to performers but also allowed me to put the skills I learnt at Guildhall to use, sharpening and fine-tuning them. I’ve learnt so much in terms of skills (and even confidence) as I finish my time at Guildhall and beyond.

What are you most interested in working in after you graduate?

I’m most interested in working in a costume making or millinery workroom as I’ve found that making gives me a special of joy and creative fulfilment that is uniquely energising. That being said, I adore the rush and energy found backstage and hope to keep doing more dressing. I have real soft spot for all things period which I’m always thrilled to explore further. I’d love to get as much experience as possible in costume in all of it’s variations.

What other passions have you enjoyed have exploring during your time at Guildhall?

Though I’ve long been intrigued by Millinery, it’s become a true love of mine during my time at Guildhall. I had the amazing opportunity to work under Megan Bearup when I did my work experience with the millinery department at the English National Opera. Something which I’ve been able to continue developing by making a regency bonnet for Guildhall’s opera ‘Mansfield Park’, and then an Athenian helmet for a student created production of the opera ‘Medusa’ which I costume designed, as well private commissions.

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