A clothing designer, who attended a school in Blackburn, has come home victorious from the Oscars for her work on movie Poor Things.

Holly Waddington, a former St Wilfrid’s C of E Academy pupil, won an award for best costume design on film Poor Things.

The film stars Emma Stone, who plays Bella Baxter and follows the life of a woman who was brought back to life by an unorthodox scientist, played by Willem Dafoe.

Holly, a former Blackburn College student, said it was a “jigsaw puzzle” to create the outfits featured in the Oscar-winning film.

The former Clitheroe Royal Grammar School said her biggest challenge was to tell the story of character Bella and her development through the film.

Lancashire Telegraph: Holly Waddington in the press room after winning the costume design award for Poor Things during the Bafta Film Awards 2024Holly Waddington in the press room after winning the costume design award for Poor Things during the Bafta Film Awards 2024 (Image: PA)

She said: “It was a constant challenge to me, I had a big huge folder, it was like a jigsaw puzzle because [Bella] had to move so rapidly through the stages, I had to tell that story through clothes.”

On director Yorgos Lanthimos, Waddington said: “He makes very challenging, thought-provoking work and there is a real opportunity for surrealism, for ideas – it’s every costume designer's dream to work with [a director like this].”

Speaking in the press room after winning the award, Holly said her designs are inspired by everyday items.

(Credit: YouTube/Oscars)

She said: “I draw inspiration from everything and everywhere. I am mostly inspired by everyday things in life.

“I love the weird lobster tail she wears in the garden early on in the house and I also like the blue jacket and yellow knickers she wears too.

“I don’t think about how the costumes impact pop culture [when I design them]. I work with the script and what the script needs.”

A spokesperson for St Wilfred’s said they are “incredibly proud” of Holly’s achievements.

A spokesperson said: “The staff at St Wilfrid’s C of E Academy would like to congratulate former student Holly Waddington on receiving an Oscar for best costume design at this year’s ceremony.

“Holly left the Academy in 1995 and went on to study Art and then Fine Art at Oxford University.

“She was the costume designer for the 2023 film ‘Poor Things’ which starred a number of Hollywood actors including Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe and Mark Ruffalo.

“We are incredibly proud of Holly and her work and would like to wish her continued success in her career.”