Jennifer Allen, a 2012 BA Costume Production graduate, is currently the Assistant Costume Supervisor for The Devil Wears Prada on the West End.
Jennifer is well established, having worked on a number of shows that have garnered Olivier Awards for Best Costume Design, working alongside many renowned and award-winning designers, including Catherine Zuber on Moulin Rouge, Marg Horwell on The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Gregg Barns on The Devil Wears Prada. Her first pantomime was at the London Palladium, where she worked closely with Paul O’Grady and Julian Clary, describing the wardrobe as “the most outrageous and beautiful costumes.”
“Setting up The Devil Wears Prada has been a big achievement for me and ticked a huge life goal box. It was always a dream of mine to set up a big new musical on the west-end and Bruford gave me the tools to achieve this for sure.”
During her time at Rose Bruford College, Jennifer Allen participated in all aspects of the Costume Production programme, from making costumes to running wardrobe, backstage management, dyeing and breaking down garments, and millinery. She also learned the practical skills to take on sewing jobs and costume-making contracts for theatre and TV.
“It gave me the tools and the confidence to apply for a dressing job straight out of Uni and then to further work my way up the ladder as time went on. The fact we put on shows in our 2nd and 3rd year with the rest of the courses in the year meant I knew what each member of the wardrobe team did, how a department needed to run, how to work alongside other teams and then built my skills to Deputy and now Head of Wardrobe roles.”
Jennifer still keeps in touch with her tutors, appreciating both their friendship and professional connections, and is often in contact with other Rose Bruford College graduates in the industry as well, supporting each other when they can. She is even accompanied by three Rose Bruford College alumni on the wardrobe team at The Devil Wears Prada.
“Rose Bruford College’s costume department got me where I am today and I wouldn’t change a thing. I’d go back and do it all again if I could!”
Curious about your creative career?
Find out more about BA Costume Production
With a hands-on learning environment, this programme encourages you to develop your construction skills in producing costumes to be worn and performed in as well as develop practical backstage skills.
Keep in touch
We’re always very happy to hear from former students of Rose Bruford.
To keep the College up-to-date with your contact details, or just to get in touch, please email: [email protected]