Writer. Illustrator. Gardener. Chocoholic and tea lover
Karen has been designing and making historical, fantasy and reproduction (SF/movie/television) costumes since 1980. She has won several workmanship awards with the Threads Guild and the Australian Costumers’ Guild. Karen loves Doctor Who and steampunk.
Karen has researched and re-created mid-16th century Florentine clothing for over fifteen years. She has done talks and workshops on 1560 Florentine/Medici patterning and sewing methods and steampunk costume.
She has been costume judge at the 2013 Adelaide Comic Con and Adelaide Steampunk Festivals.
Costume Awards:
- Australian Costumers’ Guild Workmanship awards 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012
- Joint creator of reproduction costume: Malfotto for 2012 AVcon Costume competition ‘Wreck it Ralph – Heroes and Villians’ – runner up.
- Threads Workmanship Awards: Most Consistent Costume Quality: 1990, 1991, 1992.
Where to find Karen’s Costumes:
You can find Karen’s costumes pages on:
- dedicated website: The Purple Files/ Florence Files – Historical re-creation costumes (under reconstruction/updating)
Memberships:
- Australian Costumers’ Guild
- Society for Creative Anachronism (aka THL Katerina da Brescia)
- UK Costume Society