ABOUT THE TEAM

Christina liston

Chief Operations Officer

Christina has been re-enacting and making costume for over 20 years, and wrote her dissertation on the relationship between changing religious and political norms and dress in the 17th century. More recently she has worked as a Project Manager until joining Foundations Revealed in 2022.

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Perin Westerhof Nyman

Editor

Perin is an academic dress historian and historical costumer who works under the screen name Isobel Northwode. She completed her PhD, which examined late medieval and early renaissance Scottish Clothing, at the University of St Andrews earlier this year.

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She lectures in historical dress reconstruction in the Costume Studies program at Dalhousie University, Canada, and designs historical clothing and characters for 3d digital reconstructions of historical sites in Scotland.

Her favourite pastimes include hand-stitching and sketching, and she also enjoys wandering around big box stores in full historical dress.

Some of her work can be found at:

https://www.perinwesterhofnyman.com

Meet the Mentors

LOWANA O'SHEA

Lowana O’Shea is the designer and corsetiere behind celebrated Australian slow fashion label Vanyanís, specializing in exquisite corsetry, bridal couture and luxury ready-to-wear fashion.

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Lowana opened her School of Couture in 2014. Driven to preserve the art of corsetry, Lowana passes her skills to a new cohort of emerging corset makers and gets a thrill every time she sees her students succeed and flourish. She is passionate about empowering her students with the skills they need to continue their sewing independently, providing the guidance and support she wished she had when starting her own journey. Lowana’s skills have been hard won through decades of study. She is known for her meticulous attention to detail and love of subtle (but extravagant) details in her work, and we are delighted to have her loving, supportive energy on the Mentoring team to help you move forward with your sewing.

Tilda Lewis

Tilda Lewis (they/them) is a non-binary milliner and costume maker working in the film and theatre industry in London. They studied Costume Interpretation at Wimbledon College of Arts from 2014-2017.

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Kristen Darville-Foggie

Kristen Darville-Foggie is a self-taught sewing expert with over 20 years of experience specializing in bespoke custom clothing for re-enactors, costumers, cosplayers, theater groups, and historical museums.

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As the founder of Black Orchid Atelier and Costume Skills Institute, Kristen has taught both adults and children, sharing her expertise in patternmaking, historical kit making, and accessory design. Currently serving as President of the Costumers Guild West, Kristen excels in crafting custom pieces virtually, often without in-person fittings, bringing a deep passion for historical and theatrical costuming in every project.

Community Concierges

Maeri

Maeri Certo is a corsetry & historical costuming enthusiast who dabbles in retro/pinup styling more often than historical dress. As a Foundations revealed Community Concierge, Maeri is excited to support this creative & caring corner of the internet and help other Stitchlings embrace their passions.

Her current passions include her millinery & costume design business Certain Sundries and expanding her personal collection of vintage-inspired clothing & lingerie.

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