Katharine Harrison

<p dir="ltr">Katharine Harrison is a multidisciplinary designer and educator specialising in <strong>costume construction</strong>, <strong>historical garment interpretation</strong> and <strong>fashion design</strong>. Her practice explores the relationship between the body, undergarments and embodiment, investigating how structured garments such as <strong>corsets</strong> and <strong>stays</strong> can be reimagined as supportive forms that reconnect wearers with bodily awareness and the transitions of female experience. With a background in <strong>corsetry</strong> and <strong>bespoke tailoring</strong>, she works with traditional corsetry materials alongside handcraft embellishment, finishing techniques and natural dyes, using the idea of the <strong>“stay”</strong> as both a structural and symbolic form of support for the body.</p> <p dir="ltr">Alongside her academic practice, Katharine brings extensive professional experience across <strong>screen, theatre and bespoke fashion</strong>. Her industry work includes costume sourcing and design support for the <strong>BBC</strong>, costume cutting and making for <strong>Mammoth Screen Pictures</strong> productions including <strong><em>The Great</em></strong> and <strong><em>Little Women</em></strong>, and costume development for <strong><em>The Duchess of Malfi</em></strong> at <strong>Trafalgar Theatre</strong>, including bespoke garments created for lead actress <strong>Jodie Whittaker</strong>. She has also designed and made costumes for film projects requiring detailed historical research and garment sourcing, bringing a high level of technical expertise to <strong>period construction</strong>, <strong>historical underpinnings</strong> and <strong>fitted costume</strong>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Katharine is also the founder of <strong>Katharine Harrison London</strong>, a bespoke lingerie and bodywear studio specialising in <strong>historical and contemporary lingerie and corsetry</strong>. Through this work she has collaborated with theatre, film and luxury fashion clients, shown work at <strong>London Fashion Week</strong> and <strong>Paris Fashion Week</strong>, and managed commissions, fittings and consultations for celebrity clients and high-profile productions. Her wider industry experience includes work and training with <strong>Anderson &amp; Sheppard</strong>, <strong>Marchesa</strong>, <strong>Katharine Hamnett</strong> and <strong>Eley Kishimoto</strong>, as well as collaborations and commissions connected to <strong>Penhaligon’s</strong>, <strong>Savage X Fenty</strong> and <strong>FATE Archive</strong>. Her work has also featured in theatre, feature film and editorial contexts, with work included in the <strong>Museum of London permanent collection</strong>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Katharine completed an <strong>MA in Fashion</strong> at the <strong>Royal College of Art</strong> following a <strong>BA (Hons) in Fashion Design and Business</strong> at the <strong>University of Brighton</strong>. Her broader training includes a <strong>PGCertHE</strong>, a <strong>City &amp; Guilds Level 3 qualification in Education and Training</strong>, and an <strong>NVQ Level 3 in Bespoke Handcraft Tailoring</strong>, alongside bespoke tailoring training on <strong>Savile Row</strong>. This combination of specialist making, academic study and professional practice informs an approach to teaching that is both <strong>research-driven</strong> and <strong>highly practical</strong>.</p> <p>As an educator, Katharine has taught across higher and further education at <strong>Arts University Plymouth</strong>, <strong>UAL Wimbledon College of Arts</strong>, <strong>Central Saint Martins</strong>, <strong>London Metropolitan University</strong>, <strong>London South East Colleges</strong>, <strong>Middlesex University</strong> and <strong>Morley College</strong>. Her teaching spans <strong>corsetry</strong>, <strong>tailoring</strong>, <strong>bespoke dressmaking</strong> and <strong>historical costume construction</strong>, with a strong emphasis on <strong>craftsmanship</strong>, <strong>critical design thinking</strong>, <strong>inclusive teaching</strong> and the relationship between <strong>historical technique</strong> and <strong>contemporary practice</strong>. At <strong>Arts University Plymouth</strong>, she teaches on <strong>Costume Production</strong> and leads teaching for <strong>Year 2 and Year 3 students</strong>, supporting practical and design work across <strong>props</strong>, <strong>millinery</strong> and <strong>historical interpretation</strong>, alongside tutorials, course materials and assessment.</p>