Melanie Wilson founded Prangsta Costumiers in 1998 after graduating from Central St Martins. Initially it was to rally against the waste that she saw in the fashion industry. Melanie began collecting discarded vintage garments that she then up cycled into new and wonderful creations, breathing new life into old fabrics and extending their use. This gave her creations an inimitably authentic look and feel which is a cornerstone of the Prangsta Costumiers brand.
The business grew though the provision of bespoke costumes tailored for the individual and the continual expansion of the costume collection. Pieces, often made on request however outlandish and extravagant, became available for hire and sale. Prangsta costume hire was born.
Prangsta Costumiers showroom is in New Cross, next to the architecturally impressive town hall. Continually revamped and re-imagined it has become a standout feature of the New Cross road.
The Prangsta Costumiers Design Studio is where the magic is created. This is where Melanie passes on her knowledge and design expertise to apprentices and students whilst creating the trademark costumes that bear her own unmistakable style.
Not content to wait for people to discover Prangsta Costumiers Melanie and her ever-creative crew endeavored to take the Prangsta Costumiers Creative behemoth on the road. Moving the metaphysical mountain a wondrous mobile ‘Boudoir’ was constructed. This enabled Prangsta to make its magical presence felt at festivals and private functions across the country.
Grown from the grass roots, Prangsta is today a notable addition to the costume industry and unique in its designs and approach to garment construction. No one does costumes quite like Melanie and her merry team of Prangsta Costumiers.
