Costumes To Go

A LLANELLI-BASED design and hire business has given a local student a start in her chosen career through an apprenticeship.

Eighteen-year-old Gwenno Jones is working as an apprentice with Costumes To Go, which offers a complete costume service from dressing whole theatre companies to providing a unique one-to-one bespoke design and making service. The company has also produced the Greenies and Meanies puppets for Carmarthenshire County Council’s recycling campaigns.

The company is one of a growing number in Wales able to offer new Creative Apprentice opportunities on a regular basis following the success of the initial nationwide pilot project.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s regeneration department business team is encouraging other firms to follow suit and take on Creative Apprentices.

Gwenno, who is from Carmarthen, approached the company after she attended a one day course at Costumes To Go which was arranged via Coleg Sir Gâr.

She said: “I really enjoyed the course on the History of 20th Century Fashion and heard that there was an apprenticeship vacancy coming up.

“From an early age I always had a fascination with costumes, hand me downs and making creations from my own dressing up box.

“To be able to work with Costumes To Go is a fantastic opportunity. My work here is so varied, from making hats for a pantomime to getting show outfits together. Thanks to this apprenticeship I’m gaining incredible experience and meeting so many different people who are all happy to offer me practical advice.”

Gwenno is currently studying for a NVQ level 3 in Costume and Wardrobe at Coleg Gwyr.

She added: “Without doubt this apprenticeship is giving me the confidence to pursue my ambitions and to one day be able to work full time within the creative industries.”

Costumes To Go founders Maureen Rhys and Deborah Rees have worked in the costume and retail business for over two decades. Maureen started her career as a dresser at the BBC in Cardiff before moving to the BBC in London to work on such shows as the Two Ronnies. The two had originally been school friends but lost touch until Friends Reunited brought them together again.

Deborah says, “I’ve always been interested in clothes and the costume side of things and it’s a dream come true that Maureen and myself have set up a business together. We offer costumes for hire to schools, colleges, amateur or professional theatre groups, television and film.

“Both of us were lucky enough to have learnt everything we know from working on the job and the Creative Apprenticeship Scheme is a fantastic introduction to a world of experience for anybody looking to find their feet in the creative industries in Wales.

Maureen added: “We are very proud that Gwenno has now been accepted on the Costume Construction course at Coleg Morgannwg which she will begin in October as an undergraduate.”

Funded by the Welsh Government, through the European Social Fund’s Sector Priorities Fund Pilot programme, the apprenticeships are a way of ensuring people gain skills for employment in the creative and cultural industries in Wales, resulting in a stronger workforce, better equipped with the necessary skills for securing employment within the industry.

Managed by Creative and Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the creative and cultural industries, the Apprenticeships have ranged from costume and wardrobe to live events and promotions, cultural venue operations, community arts administration and technical theatre.

Carmarthenshire County Council business development officer Angharad Harding said: “We are delighted that Costumes To Go has taken on Gwenno and we want to encourage other businesses to consider Creative Apprenticeships.

“If they want further support they should contact me at the business team at The Beacon in Dafen.”

Angharad can be contacted on 01554 748807 or RAHarding@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Caption: Apprentice Gwenno Jones models a costume from Costumes To Go’s Phantom of the Opera collection.