COSTUME DESIGNER

What does a costume designer do?

• Reads script to learn the personality of the characters
• Researches the era of the production
• Confirms the number of speaking and nonspeaking characters
• Creates the initial design sketches by hand
• Draws up final approved designs in detail from fabric detail to accessories

Large Productions duties

• Study the script
• Discuss ideas with production designer and director
• Create costume ideas to fit the production's design concept
• Research suitable costume styles, fabrics and designs
• Sketch costume designs/give instructions to costume makers

Smaller productions duties

• Manage the wardrobe budget
• Buying or hiring outfits
• Fitting, altering and adapting costumes
• Cleaning, ironing and mending
• Making sure costumes are available at the right time

A costume designer visually establishes the identity and personality of the characters by designing the clothing they will wear during the production.

Skills and education needed

• A high level of design skill and creative vision
• Experienced in pattern making/sewing
• Degree/post graduate degree in costume, fashion or theater design
• Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines
• Ability to lead a team of people

Working Hours and Conditions

• Hours could be long and may involve evenings and weekends
• The work place could be a studio, an office, or from home
• Would attend meetings with theaters or film/TV production companies

Wages for Costume Designers

Colleen Atwood

Films Atwood has designed for include:

• Chicago
• Memoirs of a Geisha
• Snow White and the Huntsman
• Alice in Wonderland
• Mission Impossible

Professional organizations

• Costume Society of America
• Costume Designers Guild
• American Association of Community Theater
• International Costumers' Guild, Inc.

"...If clothing makes the man, then certainly the costume designer makes the actor. The costume designer is not only essential but is vital, for it is they who create the look of the character without which no performance can succeed. Theirs is a monumental job, for they must be not only artists, but technicians, researchers and historians." Audrey Hepburn 1986 Academy Awards Presentation