Riot Offspring, National Youth Dance Company, Photos: Bettina Strenske June 2013
Abby Hammond, Pathway Leader of BA (Hons) Theatre & Screen: Costume Design at Wimbledon College of Art designed the costumes for ‘Riot Offspring’ by the National Youth Dance Company at Sadler’s Well, as part of the centenary of ‘The Rites of Spring’ by Stravinsky. Working alongside Abby were 2 familiar faces who had graduated from the Costume Design pathway at Wimbledon as well as a current student undertaking work placement as part of the course.
Abby explains, “My costume supervisors were Joanna Beart Albrecht , who graduated from Costume Design at Wimbledon College of Art two years ago and Danute Daniene, who graduated 3yrs ago. I was also assisted by Jessie McKensie who is currently in 2nd year of Costume Design and undertook the work placement as part of the professional development module.”
Riot Offspring, National Youth Dance Company, Photos: Bettina Strenske June 2013
Abby was the resident costume designer for the original National Youth Dance Company for 13 years before it ceased to be Arts Council funded in 2002. The Artistic Director at that time was John Chesworth, previously a dancer and then director of Ballet Rambert.
“The current Artistic Director is Jasmin Vardimon, an associate choreographer at Sadler’s Wells and I have designed costumes for her last 2 large scale productions, Freedom and 7734.” says Abby of her return to designing for the Company.
Riot Offspring, National Youth Dance Company, Photos: Bettina Strenske June 2013
The performance came at an extremely busy time for Abby as it coincided with the Wimbledon College of Art Costume Parade, held in the Queens Gallery at Buckingham Palace as part of the In Fine style exhibition where the costumes from the paintings of the Queens Gallery were brought to life by the Costume Design and Costume Interpretation students.
Wimbledon College of Art Costume Parade ‘In Fine Style’ at the Queens Gallery, Buckingham Palace, Photo: Belinda Lawley
For more fantastic photographs from the Costume Parade have a look at the Wimbledon College of Art flickr Page.
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