ABOUT
Hello, I am Christina!
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As long as I can remember I have had a love for past times - in history class I much preferred thinking about what the people I studied would have worn to memorising what they actually did!
Historical fashions, antiques, castles full of beautiful things, old paintings and costume movies always drew me in like a moth to the flame.
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I have been working in costume history and construction since 1999. I studied fashion design at the University of Applied Sciences in Bielefeld/Germany, which gave me the skills to create made-to-measure garments from scratch. My graduation collection “Merveilleuses - Liberté a la Mode” captured my love for all things 18th century in a collection of contemporary womenswear with an 18th century twist!
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I opened my own costume design studio in Germany in 1999 - and ever since I live and breathe costumes 24 hours day! My passion for the subject is endless and I feel so lucky to be able to do this for a living!
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In 2008 I relocated to London/UK, where I completed postgraduate studies in costume design and theatrical millinery.
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Working with my hands makes me happy and the joy I get from seeing people wear my creations is incomparable. Making historical clothing come to life is a fascinating process each and every time, which I thoroughly enjoy.
Turning you into your perfect vision of historical beauty is my mission!
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My other passion is creating for stage and performance! In 2011 I opened my studio for stage costumes, and have also travelled the world as my alter ego Odelia Opium!
I create sumptuous dance costumes for burlesque performers, cabaret and drag artists, exotic dancers and entertainers worldwide.
A costume that stands out from the crowd is the most important visual feature of a performer, and I'd love to help you with that!
Performance costumes inspired by historical clothing is my speciality, as well as bespoke lingerie and corsetry. If you dream of being a vision in Swarovski crystals and feathers, please follow me over to Odelia Opium Costumes!
You can also find me in my role as co-founder and head pattern designer for Nehelenia Patterns of Germany. Since 1999 we are Europe’s largest distributor for authentic historical sewing supplies, patterns and accessories! My pattern designs can be found under our own brand of sewing patterns, alongside many other ranges of patterns, speciality fabrics, corsetry and millinery supplies and historical accessories.