Born in Croydon, Surrey, England. She entered British films in 1933 and was eventually put in charge of the costume department at Gainsborough Studios. She created the fashions for many major British and American films, alone or in collaboration, winning Academy Awards for BEN-HUR (1959) and A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (1966). Other design credits include MOBY DICK and THE BARRETS OF WIMPOLE STREET (both 1956), HALF A SIXPENCE (1967), CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (1968), THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE (1969), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (1971), THE DAY OF THE JACKAL (1973) and LUTHER (1974).

Costume Design (Color) 1959: BEN-HUR  Costume Design (Color) 1966: A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (w. Joan Bridge) 2 nominations, 2 Awards