After some years of studying the period, as well as working on costume research for television, I pioneered the idea to produce a companion to her works. In 2004, as co-author and design/photographer my book: Agatha Christie, A Reader’s Companion, was published by Aurum Press. On a minimal budget, this was no small task.
In an interview for the UCL magazine by Clare Bowerman, I recalled part of the experience: “The book didn’t have a big budget for hiring pictures, so I just thought I’d ask a local flying club to take me up and I’d get some aerial pictures myself,” says Vanessa, who sounds unperturbed by the whole experience.
Everyone was delighted with it, with sparkling reviews from Choice magazine amongst others, including Agatha Christie Ltd, who pronounced it was ‘rather wonderful’. It reached No. 1 Christmas bestseller at Hatchards booksellers in 2004.
After publication, I was asked to contribute to a documentary on Agatha Christie, ‘There’s Something About Christie‘ presented by James Fox. 14 clips were used for the hour length programme.
TV costume work • highlights: Agatha Christie ITV productions 1998-2003 assistant costume research, and 2009 Emma, BBC assisting Ros Ebbutt,