Bio

Elisabeth Sur is a French-born Costume Designer, Maker and multidisciplinary artist whose practice moves between costume, art and live performance.

Having graduated with Distinction in Costume Design for Performance from the London College of Fashion (UAL), Elisabeth approaches costume as a creative and sculptural language, exploring the relationship between the body, materials, textures and the world of a performance. Her multidisciplinary practice allows her to move fluidly between conceptual design, hands-on making and the practical demands of production.

Her work spans Stage, Screen and Art, with experience ranging from costume design and supervision to bespoke making, alterations, wardrobe and soft set and prop work. She has worked across a diverse range of productions, including serving as Costume Designer, Supervisor and Soft Set Designer for Jasmin Vardimon Company’s Alice, where she developed the costumes, managed a team of makers, oversaw fittings and created soft set elements.

Elisabeth has developed extensive experience in opera and live performance, most recently working as Assistant Costume Supervisor at Garsington Opera on La Traviata, Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria and The Importance of Being Earnest. Her experience also includes wardrobe leadership as Deputy Head of Wardrobe, as well as backstage roles at the Barbican and Grange Park Opera, giving her a strong understanding of the complete life of a costume from the design studio through to rehearsal and performance.

Her making practice includes costume and alteration work for The Hunger Games on Stage at Troubadour Theatre, costume making and soft props for Gecko Theatre and The Good Chance’s From Here On, and the design and bespoke making of Showgirls Costumes for RCreative for live events. Her multidisciplinary work also extends into contemporary art, including the creation of textile sculptures with artist Silia Ka Tung and soft props with Oily Cart.
Across these different environments, Elisabeth is particularly valued for her adaptability, practical problem-solving and ability to work calmly under pressure. She enjoys the fast-moving and collaborative nature of production, responding creatively to unexpected challenges while maintaining a thoughtful and supportive approach to the people around her. Whether working independently or as part of a larger team, she brings organisation, technical skill and a sense of calm to demanding creative processes.

At the heart of her practice is a curiosity for what costume can become: a way of transforming the body, building worlds and creating visual narratives that can challenge, question and engage with the world around us.

Current Production:

Elisabeth is currently the Costume Supervisor on A Christmas Miracle (2026) with Mahogany Opera. Composed by Errollyn Wallen and co-produced by Britten Pears Arts, will be performed in Orford Church and The Magnus Cathedral in Orkney.