An Emmy-nominated New Zealand costume designer, Barbara’s career spans major international productions and landmark New Zealand films. Recognised by WIFT NZ in 2024 for her outstanding contribution to the screen industry, she has built a reputation for bold creative vision and deep craft expertise.

Barbara received her Emmy nomination for the US Starz series Spartacus, produced by Rob Tapert and filmed in New Zealand between 2010 and 2013. Her long association with Tapert also includes designing the five Hercules telemovies that preceded Hercules, The Legendary Journeys, as well as three seasons of Ash vs Evil Dead.

Her recent work includes Spartacus: House of Ashur (2024), the feature Dark City – The Cleaner (2023), the Netflix rom-com Choose Love (2023), The Royal Treatment (2022), and the Netflix series The Letter for the King (2018–2019). Additional television credits include The Bad Seed (2018) and the 2022 drama Taumanu.

Barbara has won three New Zealand Screen Awards for Costume Design: The Dead Lands (2014), River Queen (2006), and The End of the Golden Weather (1992). Her feature film credits also include Bridge to Terabithia, Peter Jackson’s The Frighteners, The Last Tattoo, The Footstep Man, and Came a Hot Friday. She has also designed for the stage, notably the World of WearableArt (WOW) Awards Show in 2018.

Darragh has also created a costume rental company - Across the Board - and is building a collection of original costumes as a record of New Zealand’s costume history, this is made available for designers and stylists.