How old were you when you showed an interest in building armour?
About the age of 10, usual cardboard armour, then WW2
costumes until I was 19 or so making my first steel helmet etc.
What was it that interested you about armour?
Hard to say exactly - the art and creativity. Making something hard and
inflexible, wearable. The pomp and 'bling' and the 'hero' appeal all combined or
simply reliving a past life.
When you were young what was your first project?
As for steel armour, A helm and sword, then a gothic full-plate which is too
difficult for a first timer.
What interested you in getting into the fashion industry?
The creativity, girls, well-made cool fashions. So ATI (now AIT) did pattern
courses for fashion then a year or two later I traded cloth for steel - same
game just different materials.
What skills did you learn from your course, pattern designing, in the brief
time that you were there?
Pattern Design and drafting,construction, learning
body shapes etc, that's about it.
Was leaving the course a natural progression, or were there other reasons?
Problems arriving on time due to work hours, so I left and kept learning from
home.
What resources did you draw from to gain your skills in armoury?
Mostly I have a knack of figuring things out, along with a tip or two from
people. Mostly self-taught.
Lord of the Rings was an amazing film to watch from the perspective of the
costumes, was the armour inspired straight from the books, or was there other
influences?
John Howe's illustrations and historical cultures which kept the realism, not
like Hercules and Zena (or any medieval movie).
I've heard that you sometimes wear your armour to save money on airflights,
has it ever caused you problems?
Yes, armour on planes, funny but true. Metal detectors and airline toilets
are awkward as one can expect. Now is harder to get on board due to tighter
regulations with the airlines.
What has been your favourite project to date?
LotR definitely! And some 16th century Jousting armour which is
current and complicated, but good to stretch the skills and brain work. I also
love teaching about LotR and Armour etc. which I do at Nelson/Marlborough
Technical Institute each year.
What has challenged you the most?
My favourite projects. Also setting up a club and its infrastructure and
getting people to get historical gear, very challenging.
Where do you get your inspiration?
Not Hollywood! Books, internet, archaeological finds etc. and other people are a great
source of inspiration.
What would you say to anybody who is interested in this industry?
Keep it as a hobby, it's hard making a living. Historical rather than fantasy is
the way to go. Enjoy it all.
Thanks very much.
Please feel free to call again.
All the best
Warren
Related sites:
http://www.stahlhelm.orcon.net.nz/