Royal High Student’s Dress Shines on the Oscars Red Carpet
Sixth Form, Senior School, Theatre
For most designers, creating a gown for the Oscars is a lifelong dream—but for Year 13 student Bella, that dream became a reality at just 17 years old.
Studying A Level Drama with Costume Design, Bella was given an extraordinary opportunity: to design and make a dress for a fellow student to wear to Hollywood’s biggest night. The stunning pale pink gown, featuring elegant puff sleeves and a flowing skirt, was not only worn on the red carpet but also photographed by the world’s press and seen live on screen.
With a tight turnaround, Bella worked tirelessly with the expert support of our textiles specialist, Mrs Justine Phillips, whose experience as a successful wedding and evening dress designer made her the perfect mentor for the project. Together, they worked late into the night to complete the dress to meet the deadline.
Bella shared her experience: “I was asked to make the dress at the front of school while waiting for my mum, with my sewing machine and Drama coursework costumes beside me! It took about 48 hours overall, pulling two almost all-nighters, but only starting once my A Level Drama performance day was finished. I couldn’t have done any of it without the selfless and expert help of Mrs Phillips! Seeing the finished dress on the red carpet was the most incredible and surreal feeling. We even watched it broadcast live from the Oscars! Designing something for the red carpet has been my childhood dream, and this experience at just 17 is completely unreal and fantastical.”
Mrs Justine Phillips added: “This commission has been a wonderful whirlwind for myself and Bella. I was delighted to be able to call on my own career experience and to support our student through the process, both creatively and emotionally. Seeing the progress and stamina that Bella has applied has been outstanding, especially with the additional daily pressures as a Sixth Form student taking A Levels.”
Bella plans to continue pursuing her passion for costume design when she leaves Royal High after her A Levels, and we have no doubt that this experience is just the beginning of an extraordinary career.
Congratulations, Bella – we can’t wait to see where your talent takes you next!
