As one of the world’s leading costume designers and costumiers, John Bright has captured the imaginations of audiences around the globe over the past five decades. The attention to detail in the costumes he has created have brought people, places and moments in time, vividly and authentically to life on both stage and screen. In 1987 he was awarded an Academy Award and BAFTA for Best Costume Design for A Room with a View.
John has been a lifelong collector, and in 1965 his personal costume collection formed the beginnings of his company Cosprop, one of the world’s leading period Costume Houses. He continues to run Cosprop, as well as now being deeply involved in The Bright Foundation.
Over the past fifty-five years, John and his team at Cosprop have collaborated and made costumes for a for a wide range of designers for productions ranging from Pirates of the Caribbean to Downton Abbey. He has fitted generations of actors and the list reads like a ‘Who’s Who’ of stage and screen.
In the mid 1980s, John began collecting children’s toys and childhood artefacts and has amassed a vast collection, dating back to the 18th century, that will be exhibited within the Museum at Rodgers Farm in Hastings.
John’s generosity has enabled The Bright Foundation to be formed and he will continue to fund the operations of the charity during his lifetime. He has bequeathed most of his estate to the Foundation, including Cosprop, to support the charity in perpetuity.
“It is my firmly held belief that the arts and creativity can shape happier and healthier children and enable young people to reach their full potential. To honour this belief, I have established The Bright Foundation and funded the purchase and conversion of two properties in the Hastings area. I have bequeathed most of my estate to my Foundation including my business, Cosprop and the property associated with it alongside my collection of toys, puppets, and theatre sets.
My life’s work has been committed to costume design for film, tv and theatre and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to pursue this path. My vision is to inspire children and young people, who would not normally have access to the creative industries, whilst at the same time showcasing the importance of nurturing creativity and free play through the ages”.
John Bright (Benefactor and Chair of The Bright Foundation / Founder and Director of Cosprop)
To find out more about John’s life and work, read a feature published in the Daily Express in April 2023 here.
Barn Theatre & Museum
Rodgers Farm
Stonestile Lane
Hastings
East Sussex
TN35 4PH
Registered address:
2 London Road
St Leonards-on-Sea
East Sussex
TN37 6AE
