A project may begin with a costume drawing, an existing garment, historical references or a detail that needs to be recreated. My contribution can include developing the embroidery design, testing materials and producing the finished embellishment, either directly on fabric or as separate elements ready to attach.
for Stage & Screen
Costume Embroidery
Bespoke hand embroidery and textile embellishment for film, television and theatre,
historical reconstruction and private costume commissions.
I’m Ksenia, a textile artist and designer who specialises in turning reference images into real, wearable detail. My background is in couture embroidery and surface design, but my commissions go beyond stitching — I work with fabric manipulation, beading, and aging techniques to achieve finishes that look authentic, durable, and stage-ready.
I creates costume embroidery in collaboration with designers, ateliers and private clients. My experience includes commissions for the film industry and individual cosplay projects, alongside with own research into historical dress.
Developing Embroidery for Costume
From Design to Embroidery
A costume drawing establishes the visual direction. Sampling explores how to achieve it through the choice of materials, texture, colour and scale, in conversation with the designer.
Historical References
Research into period dress and surviving embroidery informs the interpretation of motifs, materials and construction. The approach can follow a historical reference closely or adapt it to the production’s design.
Fabric and Construction
The embroidery is planned around the base fabric, its position on the costume and the garment’s construction. Separate panels and appliqués allow embellishment to be incorporated during costume assembly.
Costume Details & Textile Embellishment
Historical Dress & Contemporary Interpretation
Ksenia’s background combines industrial design, couture embroidery training and an MA in Textiles from the University of Brighton. Her MA research explored traditional Russian pearl setting and its application in contemporary clothing.
That relationship between historical craft and contemporary use continues throughout her practice. Research, drawing and material experiments inform both commissioned embroidery and independent projects, including garments, accessories and sculptural textile pieces.
Embroidery for Cosplay
Private cosplay commissions are also welcome. Character artwork, screen references and costume drawings can provide the starting point for embroidered motifs, panels and accessories. Each project is discussed in relation to the intended appearance, costume construction, budget and deadline.
How It Works
Share the costume design or references, the details required and your deadline. Where available, include dimensions, fabric information and an indicative budget.
The embroidery approach, materials and any sampling are agreed before production. This stage establishes how the proposed detail will translate onto the costume.
The agreed design is embroidered, with progress updates and any necessary decisions discussed during production.
Finished garments or separate embroidered elements are supplied in the agreed format, ready for the next stage of the project.
Timing is agreed individually according to the scale of the embroidery, material sourcing and the production schedule.
PORTFOLIO
SELECTED works
Corset making and embellishment
Costume Design
Shoes Making
Have a Costume Project in Development?
Send your brief, reference images and required delivery date to enquire about hand embroidery or textile embellishment for your production or private commission.
