When designing a costume, the costume designer needs to consider the time period and location of the production, as well as the social status of each character. Working closely with the director, set designer, makeup artists, and other members of the production team, the costume designer creates costumes that contribute to the mood, colour, and setting of the show. When choosing which fabrics to use, the costume designer needs to work within the production's budget.
In larger productions, the costume designer creates sketches and then allows a costume making team to produce the garments. Costume designers often lead a team that includes costume design assistants, costume makers, a wardrobe supervisor, and wardrobe assistants. In smaller productions, the costume designer may have more hands-on work with the costumes, helping out with the fitting, altering, maintaining of the costumes.
Costume design is a competitive business, so getting a university degree in costume design or fashion design is a great way to start. Taking courses in sewing, tailoring, art history, performing arts production, and set design are also helpful. The best way to get actual experience is to volunteer as a costume design assistant in student theatre or film productions. After you work as a design assistant in a few student productions, you may get to design your own costumes! With a degree and student production experience, it's much easier to score jobs in the costume departments for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, as well as film and television productions.
More costume design resourses:
To learn more these links may interest you: Costume Designers, Costume Hire or Theatre Companies. Also check out the career of Fashion Design.
