Costume & Stage designer
Author / Curator / Docent

Born in 1962, apprenticeship as
a tailoress in Munich, costume
studies in Hamburg at the
University of Applied Sciences.
Years of learning and experience
as a costume assistant to Herbert
Wernicke, cutter, draper and
costume designer in France,
Belgium, Italy and Austria. 1995 – 1999
Costume Supervisor at the
Vienna State Opera. First designs for
contemporary dance, especially in
cooperation with Christine Gaigg.
Over the years she had the
opportunity to work as a designer at
the Chamber Opera Munich, Royal Opera
House London, Teatro alla Scala Milan,
Salzburg Festival, Tanzquartier Wien,
Zurich Opera House etc.
1999 – 2007 Teacher for Costume
History at the Munich Academy of Arts.
2000 – 2007 Head of Costumes and
Wigs / Make-up at the Salzburg Festival.
Since 2005 Member of the ICOM
Costume Committee. 2008 – 2012
Costume Director at the Zurich Opera House.
2012 – 2015 Head of Costumes and
Wigs / Make-up at the Salzburg Festival.

2017/2018 Head of Costumes
at the Bayreuth Festival.

Since 2013 Board Member of the
ICOM Costume Committee.

Since March 2018
Shoe Design www.nicolai-shoes.ch.

Since April 2019
Lecturer History of Clothes and Design
at the amd/Academy Fashion&Design, Munich.