Patterns of Fashion Award

The award has been introduced by The Costume Society to commemorate Janet Arnold, a most respected founder member whose contribution to the academic study of dress is immeasurable. The award is open to students studying on costume-related higher education courses which involve the design and realisation of costume.

The award offered is £500.

Patterns of Fashion Entry Form  
The award will be given to the student who has, in the opinion of the judges, produced a reconstruction of a garment from a pattern in one of the Janet Arnold Patterns of Fashion books which reflects the high standards presented in the books. The judge for this years award is Jenny Tiramani. Jenny has worked as a costume and stage designer in the theatre since 1976. She was Director of Theatre Design at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre until 2005, working on various ‘original practice’ productions that included dressing actors in hand-made clothing, using surviving clothes, inventories, wills and pictorial evidence from Shakespeare’s time. In 2003 she received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Costume Design for the Globe production of Twelfth Night.


Click here to see previous winners

Terms of the Award

1. The applicant shall specify the institution and course attended and the names of the head of department and academic supervisor who will be required to comment as referees on the applicant’s suitability for the award.
2. The application form must be accompanied by photographs of the finished garment and a brief statement supporting the application.
3. The initial selection will be made by members of the education sub-committee of the society with professional and academic expertise in costume design and realisation. The sub-committee will present its recommendations to the Executive Committee of the Costume Society.
4. Three finalists will be invited to present their work at the society's annual general meeting. The Society will ensure that facilities are available for static displays; students are expected to provide suitable dress stands for the display of their garments.
5. Members of the Society will agree the Award by ballot drawn during the AGM and announced on the day of the final event.
6. The society reserves the right to photograph and publicise displays in the society’s newsletter, in Costume, the journal of The Costume Society, and on the Society’s web site.