The Nigel Shaw Story
A journey from the world’s stages to the artistry of costume design
Nigel Shaw graduated with distinction from Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, UK, in 1986 – the same year he was honoured with England’s “Most Outstanding Achievement in Dance” award.
Following a highly successful professional dance career, during which he performed regularly alongside the world’s most celebrated entertainers, he relocated to Sydney and became an Australian citizen in 2000. This move marked a natural progression for Nigel into the vibrant Australian world of costume design and creation.
Over the past 30 years, Nigel Shaw has contributed to most major musical theatre and stage productions, both on land and at sea. His creative talents have seen him design and craft costumes for some of the most celebrated artists across generations – notably Kylie Minogue – as well as Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, Kelly Rowland, Jason Derulo, George Michael, Olivia Newton-John, Cliff Richard, and Dame Edna.
Nigel’s original costume designs, thoughtfully reimagined works, and costumes meticulously constructed in the Nigel Shaw Costume Design workroom feature throughout Australia’s leading musical theatre productions and their current international global tours.
He stands out in the field, not only designing but personally creating costumes for more than 30 live production shows across Australia, New Zealand, the West End, Broadway, Europe, Japan, and internationally touring cruise productions at sea.
Nigel is internationally recognized for his meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that before every costume leaves his workroom – regardless of the project's scale – elaborate, hand-finished touches are personally incorporated and thoroughly inspected.
In 2022, Nigel Shaw was awarded Australia’s coveted Green Room Award for Musical Theatre – Design, credited alongside original costume designer Gabriella Slade, for his exceptional reinterpretation of SIX the Musical across Australia and New Zealand.
He is a proud member of the Green Room Awards Winners Circle and the Australian Production Design Guild (APDG).
Current Productions
★ Moulin Rouge! the Musical - Global Creatures
On Broadway
In the West End
North American Tour
Cologne, Germany + Mehr-BB Entertainment Group
Utrecht, The Netherlands + Stage Entertainment
Tokyo, Japan + Toho Co., Ltd.
Past Productions
★ SIX the Musical
Australia & New Zealand tour - LWAA (2024-2025)
Australia tour - LWAA (2020-2023)
Associate Costume Designer
★ Moulin Rouge! the Musical
Seoul, Korea tour - CJ ENM Musical and Global Creatures (2022-2023)
Australia tour - Global Creatures (2021-2023)
★ Elvis! The Musical
Australia tour - Bazmark Films and the Jackal Group (2023)
★ Elvis- A Musical Revolution
Australia tour - David Venn Enterprises (2023) Costume maker
★ MAMMA MIA! the Musical
Australia tour - LWAA (2023)
Australia tour - LWAA (2017-2019)
★ & Juliet
Australia & Singapore tour* - Michael Cassel Group in association with MTM/Leyline (2023 - 2024) *presented by Base Entertainment Asia
★ Frozen
Australia tour - Disney Theatricals (2020-2022)
★ Pippin
Australia tour - Gordon Frost Organisation in association with Jones Theatrical Group (2021)
★ Muriel's Wedding the Musical
Australia tour
Global Creatures (2020)
★ Hamilton The Musical
Australia tour
Michael Cassel Group (2019)
★ Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Australia tour - Michael Cassel Group (2017-2018)
★ Kinky Boots
Australia tour - Produced by Michael Cassel with Daryl, Hal and Cameron Mackintosh (2016-2017)
★ Aladdin the Musical
Australia tour - Disney Theatrical Productions (2016)
★ Love Never Dies
Japan tour - HoriPro (2014)
★ King Kong The Musical
Australia tour - Global Creatures (2013)
★ Doctor Zhivago - A New Musical
Australia tour - Alexis Productions (2011-2012) Costume maker
★ Carmen
New Zealand - Southern Opera (2007)
★ Long Way To The Top
Australia tour - Michael Chugg Entertainment and Jacobsen Entertainment (2002-2003)
★ Clara's Dream
Singapore - Millennium Entertainment International with John Rowe (2002)
Feature Film & Screen Production
Feature Film & Screen Production
Professional contributions to major international screen productions, specialising in costume construction and execution for large-scale feature films. Collaborated with leading creative teams to bring visionary concepts to life with precision and craftsmanship across both theatrical releases and streaming originals.
★ Play Dirty – Production: Amazon MGM Studios | Location: Australia | Year: 2024 (Currently in post-production)
★ Elvis The Movie – Production: Bazmark Films & The Jackal Group | Location: Australia | Years Active: 2020–2022 (Released 2022)
★ The Great Gatsby – Production: Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures, A&E Networks, Bazmark Films & Red Wagon Entertainment | Location: Australia | Years Active: 2011–2013 (Released 2013)
Televised Live Performances
Designing and manufacturing custom costumes for high-profile artists, dance groups, and televised stage productions. Collaborations featured prominently on national award shows and live broadcast events.
★ Kylie Minogue – 'All the Lovers' Performance – Production: Hey Hey It's Saturday | Venue: Melbourne, Australia | Network: Nine Network | Year: 2010
Costume re-creation for Kylie Minogue’s dancers, faithfully replicating designs from her original music video.
★ Rogue Traders – 'Would You Raise Your Hands' Performance – Production: 52nd Annual TV Week Logie Awards | Venue: Crown Palladium, Melbourne | Network: Nine Network | Year: 2010
Specialised costume construction and original design for the Rogue Traders' dancer ensemble, with creative collaboration from The Squared Division.
Television & Multi-Platform Entertainment
Showcasing contributions across award-winning children’s programming, talent shows, and globally distributed entertainment - featured on television, streaming platforms, and educational networks.
Reality & Talent Competition Shows
★ Australia’s Got Talent - Production: Crackerjack Productions & FremantleMedia Australia | Location: Australia | Years Active: 2007–2022 | Platforms: Seven Network, Nine Network, 7plus, 9Now, YouTube
★ Dance Boss - Production: Seven Studios | Location: Australia | Year: 2018 | Platforms: Seven Network, 7plus
★ X Factor Australia - Production: FremantleMedia Australia | Location: Australia | Years Active: 2005–2016 | Platforms: Seven Network, YouTube, iTunes
★ Everybody Dance Now - Production: FremantleMedia Australia | Location: Australia | Year: 2012 | Platforms: Network Ten, TenPlay
★ New Zealand’s Next Top Model - Production: TV3 | Location: New Zealand | Years Active: 2009–2011 | Platforms: TV3, international syndication, online catch-up
Children’s Television & Educational Entertainment
★ Hi-5 - Production: Nine Network | Location: Australia | Years Active: 1998–2012 | Platforms: Nine Network, DVDs, YouTube
★ Hi-5 House - Production: Asiasons | Locations: Australia & Singapore | Years Active: 2013–2019 | Platforms: Disney Channel Asia, DVDs, YouTube, Netflix
★ Jay's Jungle - Production: Ambience Entertainment | Location: Australia | Year: 2016 | Platforms: 7TWO, DVDs, educational streaming services
★ The Wiggles – 'Sing a Song of Wiggles' - Production: The Wiggles Pty Ltd | Location: Australia | Year: 2008 | Platforms: DVD, YouTube, Netflix, Stan
International Artist Collaborations
Custom costume construction and support for major international recording artists, enhancing live televised concerts, exclusive broadcast events, and global promotional appearances.
★ Kylie Minogue – Yasalam After-Race Concert – Production: Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | Venue: Du Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE | Creative Direction: The Squared Division | Dancer Costumes: Design & Construction by Nigel Shaw Costume Design (NSCD) | Ms Minogue’s Wardrobe: Styled separately | Additional Ensemble Wardrobe: Supplied by production team | Year: 2012
★ Lady Gaga – 'Gaga Live at Sydney Monster Hall' | Venue: Sydney Town Hall (renamed Sydney Monster Hall) | Broadcast: Austereo Network, Nine Network's GO!, and Channel [V] | Year: 2011
★ Cliff Richard – In Concert – Presented by Frontier Touring | Location: Australia | Year: 2003
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Performances | Location: Sydney, Australia
NSCD has made notable contributions to the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, one of the world’s largest and most celebrated LGBTQIA+ festivals, delivering custom costumes for international headliners and featured performers across live broadcast events. Credits include Kylie Minogue (2019, 2022), Wynter Gordon (2011), David Guetta (2010), Amanda Lepore (2010), George Michael (2010), Kelly Rowland (2010), Tina Arena (2005), and Darren Hayes (2005).