needles and sparkles
For as long as I can remember there has always been thread in some form or
another in my life. Be it stitching embroidery kits,a french knitting dolly or
even hooking a rug when I was a child. I formalized my threadiness with a three
year apprenticeship at The Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace,
receiving the best training in all aspects of hand embroidery. From goldwork to
bothsides alike with canvas work, stumpwork, beadwork, jacobean and many other
wonderful techniques thrown in for good measure. Upon completing my
apprenticeship I went to work for Jimmy Choo couture and the Jim Henson Company.
I also have had the privilege to be responsible for pieces for the likes of
Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Sultan and Sultana of Pehang, The
Sultan of Brunei, the AA, Acorn Designs Ltd, Adidas, , Barbara Clark, Barbara
Windsor, Ben de Lisi, Bruce Oldfield, The Beckhams, Catherine Walker,
Chanticleer, Clemonts Ribeino, Colefax and Fowler, Dame Edna Everage, Dizzy
Rascal, Estelle, Hardy Aimes, Irish Rugby Union, Jasper Conran, Jenny Dyer, John
Lobb Ltd, Julia Taylor, Kevin Arpino, Kylie Minogue, Lady Sovereign, Lipsy,
Lennox Lewis, Lesley Cutler, Marion Thomas, Miss Dynamite, Robinson and
Valentine, Sassi Holford, Sharon Bowen, Sharon Cunningham, Sharon Osborne,
Shirin Cashmere, Steven Hakes, So Solid Crew, Thomas Pinks, Tristan Webber,
Turnball and Asser, Ulrich Engler, Victoria Bain, also theater productions such
as An Inspector Calls, Lion King, Miss Saigon and Romeo and Juliet amongst
others. In 2009 I had the honor of being asked to work for The Royal Household
at Buckingham Palace. I worked there for nearly five years and had the pleasure
to work on many prestigious outfits for Her Majesty and Her Family.