In the latest part of our series of Q&As with the cast and crew we would like to introduce you to the costume designer & co-producer of Once Bitten… textile artist Debbie Tomkies
What is your favourite colour?
Purple (or pink?).
What was the first costume you ever designed and how old were you?
The first costumes I ever made were for my Sindy dolls (she is the UK’s Barbie). In my teens I made extra pocket money designing sweaters and selling them to my school friends!
Who is your role model or inspiration?
Kaffe Fassett.
When did you know you wanted to be a costume designer?
When I realised you could make things for adults!
What one essential thing do you always have with you when designing?
Colour pencils, paper, yarn and knitting needles.
What is your favourite biscuit?
Dark chocolate digestive.
Name a film which always makes you happy?
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (the 1971 original).
Name a film which always makes you cry?
James Cameron’s Titanic.
Tea or coffee?
Tea. Builder strength (I’m from Yorkshire).
What was the best part of working on Once Bitten…?
Working with some really lovely people and seeing the set going from a derelict shell to a New York hotel room.
What sucked the most about working on Once Bitten…?
Cleaning the set before we decorated it, especially removing 150 years of grime from the bathroom. And the dust, there was so much dust!
What are you working on now / next?
I am currently making a series of online tutorial videos for Knit Now magazine. It’s fun being on the other side of the camera for a change!
Any advice for aspiring designers?
Make things. Draw. Visit galleries and museums for ideas and inspiration. And just make things!
Thank you to Debbie for sharing her answers with us. Look out for another revealing cast & crew Q&A next week!