About
Jerry Moore
Jerry Moore is a Researcher, Lecturer, Theatrical Tailor, and Costume Prop Maker. Jerry's research focuses on the semiotics of costume and exploring how costume can be a visual language for an audience to decipher. As a costume practitioner, Jerry has worked in Theatre, Film, TV, Heritage and Immersive experiences.
Research
As an academic, my specialism lies in the study of costume as a scenographic medium as well as in the practical application of costume-making skills. I am a trained theatrical tailor and have had a varied career in stage and screen productions.
​
As a lecturer in Costume Production at Arts University Plymouth my primary role is the costume prop expert in both new emerging thermoplastic technologies as well as traditional costume prop and millinery practices. I have developed a wide range of puppet-making workshops alongside more traditional costume-making activities.
​
My research practice lies in the semiotics of costume, considering the intricate language of material signs to determine character. I am currently in the final stages of my PhD studies in Art History and my project revolves around the use of costume as a semiotic medium in portraying not only the character of the wizard Merlin but demonstrating his role and the impact of popular culture on his legend.
Publications
The Handbook for Womens Historical Pattern Cutting
2024/2025 (pending publication)
​
A book designed to offer the reader a 'foundation' costume that can be altered to fit a particular character and each pattern is designed for the modern body. The book offers a 'foundation' pattern for every major change in fashion from 1550 - 1950.
How do we know Merlin is on Screen?
2024 (pending publication)
Association of Dress Historians
A semiotic investigation of how Merlin's costume is an indicator of his presence on screen. The article acknowledges the key costume factors that make up the 'image' of Merlin and how various iterations have shaped this to establish our modern perspective of the wizard.
Merlin and his costume: Disney's The Sword in the Stone
2025 (pending publication)
International Journal for Disney Studies
Investigating the influence of Arthurian legend and the 'image' of wizardry and sorcery to create the costume for the animated Merlin in Walt Disney's The Sword in the Stone.