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, Adelaide Steampunk Festivals, and Australian Discworld Conventions 2024 and 2026.
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