Theatre on the catwalk

Tarnished Frocks and Divas Creative Director of Design, Robyne Dowdall

When Tarnished Frocks and Divas opens its five-show season and more than 300 garments take to the stage Robyne Dowdall will sigh with satisfaction at a job well done.

Robyne Dowdall is Tarnished Frocks and Divas' creative director of design, responsible for everything that is worn on the show, for ensuring the costumes enhance the script and thrill the audience.

Tarnished Frocks and Divas is described as "theatre on the catwalk'' which emphasises how important the costumes are to the show. It is equally vital they reflect the theme, this year a tangled thread. The actual storyline is a closely held secret until opening night.

Robyne will be the first to point out that while she gives direction she has a talented team working with her. "I am supported by an amazing group of people to whom I give an enormous amount of creative freedom because I trust them to surprise me in the best possible way," she says.

This fifth and most ambitious show has a design team of five including Robyne. She works with Kerry Funnel on the garments for the principal performers while cooperating with other designers working on their allocated sections of the show.

They are all supported by a "make team'' of keen sewers who turn the designers' visions into wearable reality. Meanwhile a team of makeup artists and hairdressers are creating the faces and heads (and its far more than just hair!) for 88 different looks spanning actors, singers, dancers and models.

There are no trips to fashion fabric shops. The raw material for the designers is the show's massive collection of vintage, retro and second-hand clothing. The designers may find inspiration among the clothing or take their ideas to the clothes and find expression there. Every year masterpieces emerge, some of which are kept as "museum pieces'' - just too good for reincarnation.

The only design areas Robyne does not have control over are the Open Designer Awards where she is a judge. There is a brief for potential entrants in the two sections described as Frolicking Floral Frocks and Hats off to Her. The other judges are Marilyn Cleland, John Beech and Monika Neuhauser. Showing the finalists and announcing the winners is woven into the show.

I am supported by an amazing group of people

Robyne Dowdall

Robyne's workroom has been described by her daughter as her Goddess Cove. It's a cornucopia of all things vintage, retro and girly. This space is the "engine room'' for the design team and where Robyne keeps resource material and collects samples which inspire the look of the show.

"I come down here with my research books, my computer and a pot of tea and "get in the zone", says Robyne, who in the months leading up to the September show may leave her room on body but never in mind!

Tickets to Tarnished Frocks and Divas, September 16-19 at the ASB Arena are selling fast. Buy yours on eventfinda.co.nz.