John Liddell - Head of Costume

John Liddell, Head of Costume at Scottish Opera for 35 years, initially studied law, before becoming a heavy metal musician in the 60s. After making suitably eclectic costumes for fellow band-members and musicians, he went freelance, setting up a boutique in a Glaswegian garret. After trading tailor-made Edwardian costumes to an impeccably-dressed artist in exchange for paintings, he was recommended by the artist for a job as a Gentlemen’s Cutter at Scottish Opera. Eventually John came to head up the entire Costume Department, liaising with designers and makers, overseeing the creation of everything that is worn stage on stage by the performers: clothes, accessories, shoes, hats, jewellery, make-up, hair-styling and wigs, until his excellently-timed retirement in 2020.