Hysteria designs is the ethos of Kara’s interest in costume, all characters have their story and so should their costumes. To make with the mania in mind, what has the garment got to represent or express for the wearer that they can’t declare themselves? Costume and clothing should be fun and alive, while also representing deeper aspects of people, much like the term hysteria. Is hysteria the inner turmoil building underneath the surface, or is it the outward villains who wear their agenda on their sleeve. Hysteria designs ranges from the subtle to the bold, making for all.

Kara is a London and Newcastle-based costume maker, with a keen focus on detail and finishings, believing that a well-made polished garment creates the most practical outcome in terms of both wearability and being alterable. Kara’s love for costume stems from growing up watching 1940s and 50s Hollywood musicals, where glamour and Technicolour shape the world of cinema. She has an interest in the practices of corsetry, embellishment and beading, and in taking historical costume work and transforming it into modern sewing practices. Kara has worked on making for theatre in both external college projects and in part-time work; creating for the V&A Performance Festival and on projects for Frinton Summer theatre, Sadlers Wells East and the National Theatre. Kara has a very practical sense when it comes to construction, problem solving and making the impossible possible.

For further information about alteration, costume construction, garment or accessory customisation or styling please contact through the form below.