Daisy Woodroffe
1. When you were at Brighton & Hove High School, and what is your fondest memory of school?
I started in Upper 2, in the Junior School and I finished in Sixth Form in 1999.
So many great memories but mainly an overriding sense of loving going to school. Walking up the wooden staircase (from MO1/ MO2 to the first floor classrooms) and hearing the wood creak and smelling the old school smell (!) I loved it!! Playing in the gardens outside the vicarage in Junior School – hopscotch and rounders. Sitting in the 5th Form block with my friends and feeling so grown up.
2. Who was your favourite teacher and why?
Mrs Schilt. My A Level Theatre Studies classes were very special – it was a very small class and we were very close. Mrs Schilt always made you feel heard and seen and appreciated.
3. What were the benefits of being in an all-girls school?
I made life long friends and I think that’s more difficult in mixed education. It absolutely taught me how strong women are and can be, and as all girls we supported each other a huge amount.
4. What did you want to be when you ‘grew-up’?
I found it so hard to know. I felt quite guilty for not having a ‘plan’. But now I understand looking back that I was clever enough to pivot when needed and follow things that made me happy. I landed in a very niche career and have been so happy – and maybe that was the point all along?!
5. What do you do now, and what are the most rewarding and challenging parts of your job?
I have been working in the Theatrical Costume Industry since finishing university where I studied Fine Art. I’m now a business manager for a crewing agency – placing costume professionals within the live music industry. Working in Live Events in general is incredibly challenging. Being a Freelancer and not having job security isn’t easy. But I have always been in charge of my own schedule – I can plan my work around my life – not the other way round. I have worked all over the world and I will always be so grateful for the crazy experiences and full life I’ve lead- it’s never been boring.
6. What are you most proud of so far?
Other than having my family, I worked a Stadium tour with the Spice Girls – as one of their Costume Supervisors. Their ‘Girl Power’ ethos was incredibly influential to me growing up, and I had myself just had a baby girl. Working so hard as a group of women (they were also all mothers), it made me so proud to think of my younger self and how far I had come.
7. What was the best piece of advice you were given whilst at Brighton?
It wasn’t advice. It was the expectation that nothing was out of my reach. We all believed that we could do anything we put our mind to – and that has continued throughout the rest of our lives. It has helped me in every thing that I do, with every person I meet and every challenge life has thrown at me. I feel incredibly lucky to have been given that start in life.
8. What advice would you give to your 18 year old self?
Don’t worry these friends won’t leave you.
You don’t have to have it all sorted.
You are so much more powerful than you realise.
9. What book, film or piece of music would you recommend to your younger self and to your fellow alumnae?
This is a boring non inspiring answer I’m afraid and doesn’t really fit the brief but it’s important. Read books about business. As a creative person I had no idea how important learning about business is. Of course study art and dance and literature and performance- spend as much time as possible being inspired and putting yourself in those rooms. But in your downtime read about business otherwise you won’t be able to create a life using your creative skills.
10. How would you like to be remembered?
Someone who cared too deeply, worked too hard, and lived life.
Daisy Woodroffe
Class of 1999
Costume Supervisor/Stylist, Running and Touring Wardrobe
