About Velveteena Leigh

What is Velveteena Leigh?

Velveteena Leigh is the creation of me! Dressmaker and designer Ceri Leigh. It combines my passion for rich, textured fabrics with historically inspired elements to create unique, detailed costumes and cosplays.

From my early days making dresses for barbies, to my current creations for weddings and conventions, I have built a career around my love for theatre, creativity, and escapism through costume. I am a self-confessed nerd myself; drawing inspiration from well loved sci-fi and fantasy media along with research into historical periods in my work.

After Graduating in 2014 with a degree in Historical and Performance Costume for Film and Theatre at University of Hull, I moved back to London and began filling my parents’ house with frock coats, corsets and wigs. Even after getting my own home and moving out, there was still a family of mannequins filling their living room (sorry mum!)

While trying to find my feet in the world of post-graduation, my one constant was Comic Con and the world of Cosplay. I have been a part of the Cosplay community for over a decade now, and made many of my closest friends through that community. It was an easy transition to move from theatrical costumes to Cosplay – what is Cosplay if not a form of theatre and escapism?

More than a decade after graduation, I finally feel that I am where I want to be; and more importantly where I belong. I get to create beautiful pieces for people; a living, breathing artwork that gets to be worn and touched and enjoyed by countless people. Throughout my career I have been extremely lucky to work on some fantastic projects, such as multiple runs with the Urban Pantomime at Platinum Performing arts, and work on short films such as Boudica, as well as features in magazines such as The Cosplay Journal, who I also guest with regularly at Fantasy Forest Festival.

I currently spend my days working from my North London studio on custom commissions, freelance projects, and the odd outfit for my little niece and nephew.

Please get in touch if you would like to discuss creating your dream project! And thank you for visiting Velveteena Leigh

Collaborations

Velveteena Leigh is currently working in collaboration with Madi Barnicoat of MadHarryCostumes to be able to take on even more costume work and bring your ideas to life.

I have previously collaborated with Madi on the Mushroom Dress, which I designed and made, and Madi wore for a photoshoot and filming. We also worked together on the Woodland Spirts photoshoot, with Madi modelling and providing on-set costume assistance.

Our most recent work together has been centred around Fantasy Forest Festival, working together to create our shared table space and run the Embroidery workshop.

With Velveteena Leigh continuing to grow, we have made the decision together that Madi will be a great addition to the VL team to help me take on more commissions, without losing the standard of quality. It also allows me to take on customers in Scotland, as Madi is based around Glasgow and Edinburgh.