CONFESSIONS of a Wardrobe Mistress; Allie Saunders, 36, is the Wardrobe Mistress at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. She lives in Splott and also runs Mrs Benn's Costume Shop.

QHow did you become a wardrobe mistress?

AI've always loved dressing up. I grew up in Llandrindod Wells and started out with Mid Powys Youth Theatre. I went on to do a foundation course at Cardiff School of Art and Design, Howard Gardens, where I specialised in fashion and textiles. From there I started designing costumes for Mid Wales Youth Theatre and Theatre Powys and eventually decided to study Theatre Design at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. I graduated in 2000 and got the job as wardrobe mistress seven years ago.

QWhat's the idea behind Mrs Benn's Costume Shop?

AIt's a mobile fancy dress costume shop which is part of the Secret Carnival party nights. For anyone who's not been to a Secret Carnival event it's a mini festival, with DJs, performance artists, circus acts and bands held at various venues and festivals around the country.

QDo you have a favourite costume?

AProbably my astro-turf ball gown, which I made for my final degree show and wore at my graduation ball. It's a dress made out of soft astro-turf with daisies all over it with matching platform shoes. I've worn it at lots of festivals and other events. Recently I was flown over to Dublin to wear it at the launch of the Electric Picnic music festival.

QHave you worked with any big stars?

AAs well as working at the RWCMD I also work as a freelance costume designer. I have worked on various Welsh TV programmes and styled music videos for Welsh musicians MC Mabon and Cate Le Bon.

I also worked with Jamie Winstone on the film Daddy's Girl, which was shot in Cardiff. But the biggest shows have been at the Millennium Stadium, where I got to work back stage in the wardrobe department on Madonna's Sticky and Sweet Tour as well as the Rod Stewart and Neil Diamond concerts. I had to steam clean all the costumes ready for Rod Stewart's concert -I've never seen so many sequins in one man's wardrobe. On the Madonna show I and a group of ex-students helped to prepare the costumes and assist the dancers coming off stage to quick change into different outfits. As they took the costumes off we had to spray their clothes with neat vodka to keep them fresh - it's more effective than Febreze

QWhat does your job involve?

AI usually supervise the students at the college as they make costumes for their productions, which can take up to five weeks. Most recently they've been making costumes for their operas which included costumes for 24 nuns and a giant tea pot and tea cup.

QWhat's the most bizarre costume you've had to make?

AMatt the Hat, who runs the Secret Carnival, has a 45ft inflatable church, the Big Love church, which he uses as a wedding venue at festivals. We are taking it to the Electric Picnic and the Bestival on the Isle of Wight.

I am a wedding planner with the Big Love Church and have a costume which is half bride and half groom.

QWhat do you most enjoy about your work?

AIt's like opening up a big dressing up box every day. I like working with the students as they are always full of enthusiasm and excitement. And I'm always stimulated by new young designers' work.

QWhat makes an ideal wardrobe mistress?

ABeing adaptable, approachable and a good problem solver. You have to be creative and open to ideas as directors can come up with the most ridiculous suggestions at very short notice and you have to do your best to make it happen.

You also have to be very hands-on and not easily embarrassed as you have to get very close to people when you're fitting them for costumes.

QWhat advice do you have for anyone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

AGet involved in any kind of theatre stuff you can, meet as many interesting, excitable, creative people as you can. Cardiff is full great theatre and events projects at the moment. If you enjoy the arts and like working with people, go for it. But be prepared for long hours and unusual requests.