My name is Ellie Barletta and I am a current third year student at Nottingham Trent University, studying BA (Hons) Costume Design and Constuction. 

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‘Making’ has always been a very prominent and personal part of my life. I have always strived to take any opportunity to create something with my hands, whether that be painting, drawing, sculpting, cutting or sewing. My creative ideas have been inspired by a mixture of classical and contemporary images from magazines, media, galleries and historical context and knowledge. 

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Through regular visits to art galleries such as the V&A, London Fashion Museum and the Tate Galleries, I have been introduced to a wide range of designers, painters and sculptors as well as the historical artefacts that contribute to artistic context. I have seen designers such as Mary Quant, Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior as well as frequently visiting the exhibitions on Performance, Costume and Stage Design. I was also lucky enough to spend 5 days in New York visiting galleries such as the Guggenheim and the Met, expanding my knowledge of contemporary artists. 

All these experiences have built up my bank of inspiration and taught me how to view other people's work analytically as well as my own. I am inspired a lot by buildings and architecture, photography, nature, fashion and society, and try to find the beauty of my surrounding elements in everyday life. 

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Performing Arts has also played a large role in my life, whether that has been dancing, singing or acting. I love the theatre as well as being around and on stage. After taking A - Level Art and A Level Textiles, I realised that I need to combine my love and interest in Art, Fashion, History and Performing Art and landed on Costume Design. 

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I started to gain some experience in this field throughout my college years, producing costumes for charity fashion shows, as well as being involved in making for the college musical and my dance school's annual productions. 

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