Originally published on Sydney Theatre Company online magazine

The striking, elaborate Elizabethan ruffs were the defining feature of the mens’ costumes in STC’s production of Mary Stuart.

Each of the seven ruffs featured in the show was painstakingly designed and created over the course of a few weeks by the STC costume department, under the direction of expert milliner, Rick McGill.

Rick McGill is one of Australia’s most respected milliners, having created spectacular headdresses for film, stage and couture. You’ll have seen his work on stage for Opera Australia, Bell Shakespeare and countless Sydney Theatre Company productions. McGill has lectured in fashion millinery, theatre millinery and hard and soft sculptured costume for more than thirty-five years.

In this behind-the-scenes video, featuring music by Mary Stuart composer Max Lyandvert, McGill explains how the Mary Stuart ruffs were created, from Elizabethan portrait inspiration all the way to final fittings.

Filming, edit and interview by Jordan Rahlia