About Ilona

Ilona is a budding young designer, honing her craft in costume currently with short films. After studying Costume Interpretation with Design at The Northern School of Art, she graduated in 2020. Post Covid, Ilona found her first opportunity in costume as a costume making trainee for theatre, working on productions Mary Poppins, Hamilton and for Scottish Ballet’s Mayerling. In 2023, Ilona designed for short films, most notably for the unreleased “Bluff” for Silver Salt Films, which was BFI and National Lottery funded. Ilona has always had an innate appreciation for textiles and clothing. Ilona’s love for clothing has found her working occasionally in the realms of fashion, from a cutting and alterations tailor internship at Savile Row’s Anderson & Sheppard, assisting backstage at fashion shows like the Oxfam Fashion show, to styling for the red carpet.

Ilona is a recent graduate from the Sara Putt Trainee Scheme 2023.

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Follow the making on Instagram @dressupbyilona

Description of my Final Major Project: Pomp & Circumstance My two costumes, of Duchess Eloise Fowey, and Bunny Colville, who are having a ‘secret affair’ in Noël Cowards only novel ”Pomp and Circumstance”. The scene
Facing and structured lining attached. I had a prolonged heart attack turning it all inside out after sewing inside out, but it worked so whooo!!! Just need to put the lapped zip in and finish the skirt.
Baisting the silk tulle onto the silk duchess satin into place to make the bodice panels. Very fiddly....
This is the structured lining (dw the seams will be covered). It will be hemmed ~2”/5cm. Just by interfacing with a medium strength woven interfacing (Mc&W 4220), pressing the seam allowances flat, and then top stitching on either side of t
Drafting the bodice.
Cutting out the circle skirt.
The undergarments for the dress are basically done, save for some hand sewing. On to the skirt and bodice, then back to tailoring!
So this is the final corset almost finished. I need to recut the boning In a few places and sew them in, I think the little bit of rippling will be sorted with that. Finally I need to bind the top and bottom. I’d finish today but I’m havi
Needed a bit of break from tailoring. So I’m working on the corset that is the base of my women’s costume. Going through the toiles. My last attempt was still too small, but putting the plastic boning really helped show the shape. I am ha
We have little helper today in this makeshift atelier. #dog #dogsofinstagram #dogsinatelier #atelier #tailoring #craft #costume #student
So pockets went in fine, so moved on to interfacing. Interfacing is cut and with the stabilising chest piece padstitched on. You can see that I’ve used a little black strip of thin fusible interfacing to smooth the edges of the darts. Currentl
Here is my jacket pattern pieces pinned together, so you can see what it will look like. I have not yet attached the collar or the facing so don’t worry about the lapel. The front and side piece have been sewn together, along with the front dar
Marking out the seam allowance in tailors chalk.
My fabric for Final major project for my costume degree #fabric #tartan #satin #tulle #tailoring #shirting #interfacing #costume #fashion #degree
Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of visiting the V&A archive. I got to look at and sketch vintage McQueen, Westwood, Versace, and Richard James
Garment made by me for Ashleigh’s degree show. Print design by @spacepunk.design.
Here is my royal blue cowboy hat💙. The velour felt hat is inspired by the Stetson ten-gallon hat. The waistband and bound edge is made from petersham. Available for purchase 120 +shipping #millinery #hats #equestrian #custom #uni #costume #design #
This is my ascot hat 💙💛 with a hand blocked sinamay base sprayed a dark royal blue. The waits band and bow are made from metallic gold basket weave sinamay. To keep the shape I have roll hem-ed the bow with wire inside. Available for purchase 120&
My two silk hats 🧡💙 the first is a buckram based royal blue silk dressage hat with a hand painted veil, and moiré ribbon waistband. The second, is a flat-pattern royal blue and old gold silk jockey cap, with hand made fabric Pompom and moir&
Finally blocked and formed my adaption of a ten gallon Stetson. I blocked from a fur caperline. Now all that’s left to do is fully stiffen the crown, wire the brim to keep it flat, and trimmings.