Patterns of Fashion Award Finalists 2026

The Costume Society’s Patterns of Fashion Award 2026 Finalists were announced in March 2026.

This year, the standard of entries was exceptional, with the largest number of applications from the widest variety of institutions around the world that the awards have ever seen. We are delighted to announce three shortlisted finalists for the Patterns of Fashion 2026.

Tallulah Lawson is a BA Costume Design and Construction student at Nottingham Trent University, and her project is a striking recreation of Doublet with Peascod Belly in Pinked Satin, c.1610.

Kate Bashford is a third year BA Costume Interpretation student at Wimbledon College of Arts and she has made the complex Jacket of a Riding Habit c.1730-50.

Qianrong (Rory) Huang is a BA Costume Interpretation student at Wimbledon College of Arts who has made the stunning Walking Dress from 1890-91 featured in Patterns of Fashion 2

All garments shortlisted have been completed to an excellent standard of craftsmanship and the shortlisting panel were particularly impressed with the inclusion of extensive research material for each entry. The level of cut, construction, research and decorative skill in all three demonstrates an exceptional understanding of period dress.  

 

The Patterns of Fashion Award honours the work of dress historian Janet Arnold (1932-1998), a founder member of the Society, through the recreation of historical extant garments that feature in her seminal book series in their original and subsequent editions. The award promotes Arnold’s methodological approach to historical dress research and now also includes Norah Waugh’s key publications. The Patterns for Performance award enables students to design and make a theatrical costume for a character in a performance using one of Arnold’s or Waugh’s original patterns as a starting point. The awards are an important part of the Costume Society’s output that promotes the legacy of Arnold and Waugh through their impact on the standard of craft and artistry within costume.

The Awards will be presented as part of the society’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday 4th July. Venue to be confirmed.

The entries will be judged by multi-award winning costume designer Joanna Eatwell, known for her work on Wolf Hall, Taboo, Carnival Row, Venom, One Life and The Radleys.