Fantastical costumes promise to delight audiences at live shows
Haunted houses, beloved woodland creatures and retro robots provided inspiration for some of the eye-catching costumes set to tread the boards at a stunning Edinburgh College of Art student showcase.
More than 70 designs will be presented during the Performance Costume Show at the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh on Friday 23 May.
Tickets for each show can be purchased via Eventbrite.
The enthralling display of work includes a monster designed for an imagined spooky theme park ride. The design uses references from RL Stein’s young adult horror novels Goosebumps and Scooby Doo.
The chilling character, created by student Alice Courtney, is named The Winchester Ghoul after a notorious haunted mansion in California, which has 160 rooms, stairs leading to nowhere and a labyrinth of empty corridors.
1970s retrofuturism – a style that blends the futuristic visions from previous decades with a sense of nostalgia – is the focus of Holly Firkins’ ‘ad-bot’ character. With a television for a head and a fridge storing cans of cola for a body, the character depicts a dystopian world where consumer habits are controlled by advertising.
(L-R) Alice Courtney's The Winchester Ghoul and Holly Firkins’ ‘ad-bot’ character
Ava Hewitt’s playful design recreates the Mole from The Wind in the Willows. With oversized hands and feet, the beloved character has been reimagined as a modern-day eco-warrior by repurposing abandoned tents from the Leeds and Creamfields festivals.
Elsewhere, Ellie Anderson has used a mix of recycled material and athletic wear to create a striking costume for an opening act at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Scotland’s national flag, the Saltire, is crafted into a train to complete the Scottish-themed sporting extravaganza.
(L-R) Jean-Benoit Aubery from Daphne Du Maurier’s 1941 romantic adventure novel, Frenchman’s Creek and Barbara, the heroine of historical novel, Life and Death of the Wicked Lady Skelton
(L-R) Costume inspired by the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Mr Mole from The Wind in the Willows
Performance Costume Show 2025
The charismatic captain of a pirate ship will be portrayed wearing floral skirts as student Caitlin Hutton explores themes of femininity. She has been inspired by 17th century still-life paintings her costume offers a gender-nuanced interpretation of Jean-Benoit Aubery, the swashbuckling hero of Daphne Du Maurier’s 1941 romantic adventure novel, Frenchman’s Creek.
Another student is exploring androgyny using silhouettes from menswear to depict Barbara, the heroine of historical novel, Life and Death of the Wicked Lady Skelton. Using 17th century fashions, Faye Grant uses bold colour and feminine motifs to make a strong statement for the titular character who lives a double life.
Inspiring programme
ECA’s Performance Costume programme develops and hones students’ skills and creativity to help them become the next generation of designers and costume makers in the film, television and stage industries.
Previous Performance Costume shows have launched the careers of graduates, with many now working on a range of celebrated productions, such as Dune, The Crown and productions of Scottish Opera and the Northern Ballet.
These wonderful designs truly showcase the high calibre of our students’ craftsmanship and inventiveness. Presenting their costumes at this amazing event offers our students an invaluable opportunity to captivate audiences and connect with the creative industries.
Megan Baker
Programme Director of Performance Costume at Edinburgh College of Art
