<p dir="ltr">Kinga Oliver-Hajnal is a practising costume and textile artist with a deep fascination for the stories and history embedded in garments and fabrics. Her interest in clothing and its cultural significance began at a young age, influenced by her mother's and grandmother's dressmaking skills and Hungarian traditional folk techniques.</p> <p dir="ltr">After moving from Hungary to London following her 'A levels,' Kinga pursued her passion by studying pattern cutting and construction. She also started a small business specialising in bespoke custom-made jeans for various shops.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her educational journey continued with a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, followed by a degree in Theatre Design at UAL Central Saint Martins. </p> <p dir="ltr">After graduating, she gained valuable experience working in the costume departments of various theatre, TV, and film productions. She also took on commissions from set design companies, creating textile set pieces.</p> <p dir="ltr">Kinga's transition into education began while collaborating with the National Theatre's education department, where she helped young people learn through theatre. This experience led her to work with the Drama Department at Lewisham College, where she found immense fulfilment in nurturing young people's creative aspirations.</p> <p dir="ltr">To further her career in education, she completed a PGCE and has since spent the past decade working as an Art and Design teacher in mainstream secondary and SEN (Special Educational Needs) settings.<br /></p>