Two of our Degree graduates worked as Costume Embroiderers for the 2017 Agatha Christie adaptation Murder on the Orient Express. Laura Baverstock and Hattie McGill, who graduated from the course in 2016, embroidered the 1930s era costumes, designed by Academy Award winning Costume Designer Alexandra Byrne.

The film, directed by Kenneth Branagh, featured an all-star cast including Dame Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Johnny Depp and Branagh himself as the famous detective Hercule Poirot. The lavish costumes, designed by Byrne, played an important role in defining their characters in the ensemble cast.

The hand embroidery work of our graduates can be seen in Dench’s outfit as Princess Dragomiroff, featuring stunning Goldwork embroidery, Michelle Pfeiffer’s dress with Syrian-inspired designs, and Marwan Kenzari’s Conductor uniform. Hattie even monogrammed the handkerchief found by Poirot at the murder scene! The requirement of such precise hand embroidery for film costumes goes to show the level of detail demanded by HD formats in film-making today.

Hattie McGill has also worked on the Doctor Strange film (2016). She embroidered the cape worn by Benedict Cumberbatch in Marvel’s Dr Strange, in twelve different versions owing to the cloak’s own star appeal in the film and comics!

Away from the screen, Laura Baverstock produces bespoke commissions of Raised-Work insects and butterflies. In 2016, Laura became the youngest Trade Freeman admitted to the Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers.

For more information on our Degree programme visit rsndegree.uk