Robyn’s return to Pride & Prejudice

The world of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice has been recreated by University of Teesside graduate Robyn Flemming. Robyn, 22, from Burnmoor, County Durham, has designed and created a costume to be worn by Austen’s heroine Elizabeth Bennett in a fictitious television production of the novel, which was famously dramatised by the BBC in the 1990s. The design was part of Robyn’s final project for the BA (Honours) Entertainment Design Crafts degree, franchised by the University of Teesside and taught at the Hartlepool Campus of Cleveland College of Art & Design.

Robyn enrolled on the degree after completing a National Diploma in Art & Design at Sunderland College. She said: “I’ve always had a passion for textiles and fashion, and chose this course as it combines all aspects of art and design in theatre, television and film. You’re not restricted, as you explore costume and set design.

“I’ve always been interested in the French revolution period and like Austen’s novels Emma and Pride and Prejudice, so thought Elizabeth Bennett’s costume would be an ideal one to design. I researched women’s clothes and accessories from 1770-1840, looking at corsets and textiles used. The research took about three months, and making the costume another five. It’s been good to recreate something from history, for Elizabeth’s costume I’ve chosen very subtle colours. Elizabeth is a very down to earth, quick-witted character, in many ways like women of today.”

In addition to her Austen design, Robyn has also worked on initial costume designs for a production of a Midsummer Night’s Dream at Sunderland Theatre Royal, and helped with window dressing for a Sunderland retail store. She is now looking for her first post as a costume designer.

Robyn is the daughter of Sue and Ralph Flemming and the first in her family to graduate from University. She is also a former pupil of Farringdon Comprehensive, Sunderland.

For more details on the BA (Honours) Entertainment Design Crafts degree call 01642 384019 or check the University of Teesside’s web site at www.tees.ac.uk

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