Jane Marcantonio, costume supervisor, Strictly
It’s my fifth year on Strictly and it feels amazing to be part of this fantastic, glittery, travelling circus. I’m costume supervisor on the live shows – so it’s my responsibility to make sure all the celebrities and their professional partners go out on to the dance floor feeling comfortable and happy with whatever they are wearing.
I know everyone says it, but there is such a lovely atmosphere on the show – everyone, cast and crew, is part of one big family. Really, there are no divas - just a bunch of very pleasant people who respect what we do.
I grew up in Ayr, went to school at Belmont Academy, and graduated with an honours degree in design and applied arts – specialising in fashion – from Edinburgh College of Art.
After writing lots of letters, I got some work experience and then my first ‘big break’ – a job in the costume department of The Jacket, the film produced by George Clooney and starring Keira Knightley, which was filmed in Livingston.
That took me into the world of film and television and I’ve been so fortunate to have worked on some great projects, including the BBC's costume drama, Mansfield Park and the movie Nowhere Boy which starred Kristin Scott Thomas and Anne Marie Duff.
Kristin asked me to design her a headpiece for a service she was attending at St Paul’s Cathedral, at which she met Prince Charles. I have my own business, designing luxury fascinators and headpieces, and to see Kristin wearing one of my creations was fabulous.
I have also designed headpieces for Amanda Holden, who wore hers at Ascot, and some of the Strictly stars.
The hours are long on Strictly, especially on Fridays, when we have the dress rehearsal. Live TV and having young children – mine are aged three and seven months – do not mix very well. Sleep is a luxury.
The dress rehearsal is the first time the dancers get to try on their costumes, designed by Vicky [Gill, the show’s costume designer] and created by a fabulous team of fitters.
Often they are nervous and tired after a long week’s rehearsing, so it’s up to us to calm them down. We just want to do the best for them all. You couldn’t do this job if you were no good at working with people – you have to build up a rapport with them. Our room is often the therapy room!
I liaise with the directors, the crew, the choreographers, the designers and the dancers – it’s pretty full on. I might be in the studio at Elstree, where we check if we need to change hemlines, add panels, increase embellishments; or out on photo shoots with the celebrities, and often on the Friday we can be up until midnight making sure everything is right.
I couldn’t single out a favourite dancer over the last five years but I have enjoyed watching my fellow Scot Carol Kirkwood this year – it was such a shame when she went out.
I can’t dance – occasionally one of the male pro dancers will wheech you up on to the floor at rehearsals and it’s awful, spinning round in front of people. I’m much happier behind the scenes.
My favourite thing is watching the celebrities grow in confidence over the weeks. At the start, a dress is just a dress, but gradually they begin to understand what wearing that dress does to them; how it helps them get into character and becomes an important part of the performance.
Above all, we just want to make sure every single person goes out on to the dance floor thinking: “I look wonderful.”
The final of Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC1 tonight, starting at 6.35pm.
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