Larger than life

With her company Larger Than Life Stagewear an integral member of the arts’ ensemble cast, and consequently reliant on performers needing costumes, the 74-year-old watched with despair as her trade dramatically dried up during lockdown and social-distancing measures.

However, rather than opting to exit stage left, Andrea was determined that the show must go on and – with the help of staff at Big Yellow – made adjustments to her operation, tailoring the space taken to store her vast collection of period clothing to ensure its extended run.

“The team at the store were lovely and, when the theatres closed and my trade disappeared overnight, I was quickly given the chance to look at a smaller unit,” said the former amateur actor, explaining how the cancellation of corporate events and private parties had also impacted on the call for costume hire.

"Reducing the size helped to reduce my bills and has meant that I can be ready and waiting for whenever demand returns. "

Andrea, who prides herself on supplying and fitting clothes that fit and feel as comfortable as a performer’s own, was certainly not short of wardrobe credits prior to the pandemic.

From A Christmas Carol to On the Razzle, Larger Than Life Stagewear has previously costumed cast productions of all sizes and supplied a number of television shows with authentic clothing; including Harlots, Housewives and Heroines: A 17th Century History for Girls, which was presented by British historian Dr Lucy Worsley.

Among the firm’s other small screen appearances are CBeebies’ Strictly Cinderella and an episode of Marrying Mum and Dad, which involved the supply of 56 17th-century outfits.

The proud mother and grandmother has also seen her cherished clothing feature on the silver screen in Love Song, a biopic drama exploring the story behind the creation of Tchaikovsky’s fantasy overture Romeo and Juliet, and in the music video for Filous & The Kooks’ Hey Love.

An encore is certainly deserved for the star seamstress who turned her fascination for fabrics and historical hems into a full-time business in 2007 and has used Big Yellow as a walk-in closet for her costumes – which span everything from Medieval, Regency, late Victorian and Edwardian attire to 60s, 70s and 80s garments – for more than 14 years.

“When I moved into the store it really helped my business,” recalled Andrea, who was forced to find an alternative storage solution for her expansive wardrobe when the studio space she had been using became damp.

“Aside from being just five minutes from home, dry and safe, it worked for me as it allowed me to offer a next-day service,” she concluded, highlighting the supporting role Big Yellow has played in Larger Than Life Stagewear’s enduring star turn. “I could arrange collections and deliveries and not need to physically be at work all of the time – staff send me a text when something arrives. It suits me.”

For more information, visit www.largerthanlifestagewear.co.uk/