CV — Isobel Blackburn

CV

Costume Experience

COSTUME WORK EXPERIENCE (2026); Old Town Murders; Quay Street Productions, On set and Dragon Studios

Creator / Executive Producer: Matthew Barry: Director: Andy Newbery; Costume Designer: Ffion Elinor; Costume Supervisor: Nicola Rodd

I gained experience with being part of the costume team for filming a TV show. I gained knowledge of the roles of costume supervisor, costume standby, junior costume assistant, and crowd supervisor, assisting the stanbys and junior with costume tasks.

DRESSER WORK EXPERIENCE (2026); Blaze of Glory; Welsh National Opera, Donald Gordon Theatre

Director: Caroline Clegg; Designer: Madeline Boyd; Composer: David Hackbridge Johnson

I joined the women’s chorus dresser team and helped with quick changes, pre-setting changes and assisting the performers in the dressing rooms.

COSTUME MAKER (2026); Hot Girl Horror; RWCMD, The Bute Theatre

Director and Costume Designer: Jessie Burdett

I assisted with costume making on this show, working with cotton, silicone, and special effects materials.

COSTUME MAKER (2026); The Watsons; RWCMD, The Richard Burton Theatre

Director: Emily Ling Williams; Costume Designer: Enza Kim

I created a Regency-style gown for this show, working with crepe-back satin and using pleats and pattern drafting on the stand to create a historical silhouette.

COSTUME ASSISTANT (2025); Hamlet; RWCMD, The Richard Burton Theatre

Director: Joanna Bowman; Costume Designer: Isabel Southey

During this show, I assisted with measurements, fittings, some costume making working with tulle, breakdown, sourcing, dressing, and laundry.

COSTUME DESIGNER (2025); The Two Gentlemen of Verona; RWCMD, The Bute Theatre

Director: Patricia Logue

I worked with the director to design a modern Monte Carlo style rendition of this classic, keeping to a tight budget and handling dual and triple casting.

COSTUME MAKER (2025); Our House; RWCMD, Sherman Theatre

Director/Choreographer: Mark Smith; Costume Designers: Olivia Lewis and Evan Stead

I created two dresses for this show, a matching pair in different colourways for an 80s Vegas-themed wedding scene.

COSTUME MAKER AND ASSISTANT (2024); Blithe Spirit; RWCMD, The Richard Burton Theatre

Director: Jac Ifan Moore; Costume Designer: Rosemary Underwood

On this show, I worked with chiffon, silk dupion, and embellishment on a 1920s flapper style dress; I also assisted in sourcing, fittings, dressing, and laundry.

COSTUME ASSISTANT WORK EXPERIENCE (JAN-FEB 2024); Feral Monster; National Theatre Wales, Sherman Theatre

Director: Izzy Rabey; Costume Designer: Cara Evans

During this placement, I gained insight into the different roles in costume, including design, sourcing, making, and fittings.

Education

RWCMD 2024 - 2026

MA Design for Performance: Costume Design and Construction

Cardiff University 2018 - 2021

1st Class BA in English Language

Key Skills

Good hand and machine sewing skills
Alterations and repairs
Attention to detail and accuracy
Ironing, washing and maintenance
Embroidery and beading
Pattern drafting and cutting
Knowledge of fabrics and design
Professional fitting etiquette
Photography skills
Good people skills, respectful and approachable

Transferable Skills

Good independent and team working
Task prioritisation and problem solving
Developed IT skills (Excel, Adobe, MS Teams, Sharepoint, MS Outlook)
Dealing with confidential information
Project management
Proofreading and editing
Working with cross-functional teams
Effective verbal and written communication including building a rapport with external stakeholders
Detailed and in-depth research
Organisation, time-management and multitasking
Customer service