The Art of Costume Design is a key element in the evolution of a production. The work of the Designer helps to establish the 'world of the play', the definition and resonance of character, and a 'skin' in which the performer can execute their best work.

Australian Costume Designers, Jennifer Irwin and Julie Lynch have decades of experience helming the aesthetic of attire in a vast repertoire of entertainments across many genres and disciplines.

Jennifer Irwin's commissions include over 90 ballets as well as some of the largest scale spectacular productions ever staged in Australia; including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and Francesca Zambello's 'West Side Story' staged on Sydney Harbour.

Jennifer designed the costumes for the International Box office sensation 'Dirty Dancing' the musical, breaking all pre box office pre sales of any show ever staged in the history of London's West End.

Her costume design for the feature film 'SPEAR' was nominated for an AACTA award in 2017. She was recognized for her contribution to Dance at the Australian Dance Awards 'Service to Dance' in 2015. Jennifer has designed for Bangarra Dance Theatre since the company's inception.

Jennifer's work can currently be seen on the stages of the Sydney Opera House in 3 seperate productions with Bangarra and Opera Australia.

Julie Lynch enjoys a successful costume design career spanning 35 years, working with many of Australia's leading directors, including: Neil Armfield, John Bell, Jonathan Biggins, Richard Cottrell, Gale Edwards, Lee Lewis, Elke Neidhardt and Richard Wherrett.

She has designed for Australia's leading theatre companies, including: The Sydney Theatre Company, Opera Australia, Belvoir St, Bell Shakespeare, Victoria State Opera, The State Theatre Company of South Australia and Opera South Australia.

After a year of teaching young students online during the first wave of COVID-19, Lynch decided to leave her leadership position as Director for Design Practices at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) to pursue her passion for Visual Art and has loved every minute.

A great discussion ensued at STAGES 'Live' dissecting the process of the designer and exploring the immense possibilities presented with Costume Design.

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