Costume Designer Job Profile

Find out the typical duties, requirements and opportunities of a costume designer…

A costume designer is responsible for the design, creation and purchase of costumes and accessories worn in television, film and theatre productions.

Typical work activities include:

• Liaising with the director and lighting and scenic/set designers about creative concepts, establishing the look and feel of the production and its characters, deciding what each character wishes to convey through his/her clothing (time period, setting, status/social class, age, geographic region, etc.);
• Researching via the internet and libraries to conduct in-depth research into the setting/period of the production to ensure costumes are authentic to the specific time;
• Utilising a good knowledge of costume/theatre/art/political/social history;
• Reading scripts;
• Sketching designs by hand and sometimes using computer programs such as Photoshop or computer-aided design (CAD);
• Working closely with the costume supervisor.

When working on a mid or large-scale production, the costume supervisor, wardrobe manager and other members of the team will be responsible for the actual physical realisation (buying or making) of costumes. However, when working on a small-scale, fringe or low-budget production, the costume designer may also be responsible for the following work activities:

• Managing the costume budget;
• Taking actors’ measurements for garments and accessories, such as wigs, shoes and hats; 
• Shopping at fabric, craft, charity and clothes shops;
• Drafting and cutting out patterns;
• Studying textiles, dyeing fabric, painting and sewing;
• Distressing costumes, using a range of materials;
• Arranging costume fittings, dressing actors, helping with difficult costumes, making alterations as necessary;
• Cleaning and repairing costumes.

What qualifications and experience will employers look for?

Costume design, fashion, theatre design or performing arts (production), wardrobe assistant or costume maker can work your way up to designer as you build experience and contacts in the industry.

Whatever your qualifications, you should find practical work experience and build a good portfolio or ’showreel’ DVD of your design work to show to potential employers. You can get relevant experience through:

• Student theatre and film productions
• Amateur theatre
• Working as a costume ‘daily’ (a temporary helper) on TV or film sets
• Casual wardrobe work in theatres
• Working for a theatrical costume hire company

You may be able to start in the film and TV industry through an apprenticeship-style training scheme, such as the BBC’s Design Training Scheme, or schemes run by Film and Television Freelance Training (FT2). Competition for places on this type of scheme is very strong, and selection processes are tough.

Contact Skillset Careers to find out about any new entrant training schemes that may be available.