What's Next?

Costume and Wardrobe Support Apprenticeship - The Manchester College

The Apprenticeship lasts for a year and covers the following:
- Supporting assembling, making and altering clothes for actors and assisting them to dress
- Helping cutters
- Searching for hired costumes and accessories
- Helping with cleaning, washing and ironing of costumes
- Keeping records of accessories
- Helping to source costumes, materials and equipment

At the end of the programme I will have achieved:
- EDI Level 2 Certificate in Theatre Support: Costume and Wardrobe
- EDI Level 2 Award in Principles of the Creative and Cultural Sector
- Functional skills in Maths, English and ICT
- Employee Rights and Responsibilities
- Personal Learning and Thinking Skills

On completion of the Costume and Wardrobe Support Apprenticeship at level 2 I can go on to study on an Advanced Apprenticeship in Costume and Wardrobe, or other Advanced Apprenticeships in the creative and cultural sectors, or other vocational qualifications related to or relevant for the creative industries. On completion of this apprenticeship, I will be qualified to work as a costume/wardrobe assistant, which with further development and training could lead to positions as an assistant costume/wardrobe manager, costume designer and maker, entertainment dresser or pattern cutter.

Costume with Textiles - University of Huddersfield

This course lasts for 3 years and requires a DMM – DDM BTEC National, passes in GCSE English and Maths at Grade C and strong emphasis will be placed on the quality of your portfolio and a satisfactory interview. After completing the course students will achieve a BA(Hons).
The course also enables you to utilise the unique skills of embroidery and printed textiles within a costume context.The fusion of historical and contemporary cut, and construction techniques are used in collaboration with contemporary design and textiles for the following areas: theatre, opera, dance, film, TV, music videos and commercials.
The course sets out to develop your embroidery skills and your understanding of printed textiles for making costume. It compares historical and contemporary cut and construction techniques, current textile and modern design, and its application to characterisation, for use in theatre, opera, dance, film, TV, music videos and commercials. All the performance areas are catered for and are underpinned by live projects, work placements and visiting speakers from industry.

Year 1

+ Introduction to Costume Construction

This module provides the knowledge needed to transfer a design concept into a three-dimensional costume. You will be introduced to appropriate sewing methods for toile and costume construction. You will learn the basic principles of flat pattern cutting, basic block manipulation and experimentation with cut. You will produce a comprehensive file of patterns and samples. (100% construction file).

+ Introduction to Textiles for Costume

In this module a series of practical workshops introduce basic skills in a variety of drawing and textile processes and techniques, developing your ability to creatively explore textiles for costume. Colour palette and knowledge of fabric types and quality will also be explored and form a crucial part of the process.(50/50)

+ Fashion and Costume: History and Contemporary Context

This module provides an introduction to key historical, cultural, political, social and economic contexts which affect our readings of fashion and costume practices. It will include a review of stylistic change and how it has been influenced by key macro trends, cultural movements and also socio-political and technological change. The research and performance contexts of fashion and costume practices will also be considered. (40% group presentation 60% individual assignment).

+ Introduction to Costume Design and Illustration

This module introduces script analysis, character interpretation and visual methods of design for costume, selected from a range of performance areas. Understanding methods of script analysis and character analysis will inform the design development process. Illustration techniques will be taught, which explore a variety of media, methods and techniques. (50% figurative drawing portfolio 50% design development portfolio).

Year 2

+ Textiles for Costume

This module develops your textile specialism by experimentation with techniques and processes. You will express your creativity through visual research and design development, characterisation and textile sampling. You will be involved in personal assignments which develop an individual approach to creating textiles.(50% visual research and development 50% visual journal).

+ Costume Design and Contextualisation

This module develops your ability to independently research in order to express individual interpretation for: script analysis, characterisation and design development. Through a series of lectures and workshops, you will appraise and evaluate the results of the research and design development work, to clearly identify and establish your specialism within a design context. (100% Portfolio).

+ Costume Construction

This module introduces more advanced pattern cutting and costume construction methods. You will develop skills in prop-making and be introduced to techniques used for the ageing and breaking down of costumes for a variety of performance areas. Through your interpretation of historical & contemporary silhouettes, you will produce toiles and finished costumes as well as any appropriate accessories. (50% Construction file 50% toiles, sampling and costume).

Year 3 sandwich
Optional

+ School of Art and Design Placement

You will normally spend a total of 48 weeks between the end of year two and the beginning of your final year in a managed work experience. You will be encouraged to obtain a placement activity relevant to your area of specialism; however, a wide range of placements will be regarded as suitable. The placement will be monitored and you will be assessed on completion.(100%)

Year 3 full-time/Year 4 sandwich

+ Research and Development

This module will establish and inform your major project. Within it you will identify a theme/subject/issue relevant to your practice.
The module will re-emphasise the importance of in-depth research, within which you will demonstrate originality, pro-activity and innovation.
The context and parameters of this module will be defined by you, through negotiation and ongoing dialogue with your tutors. (100% research portfolio)

+ Technical Module

This module enables you to complement your major project by undertaking an in-depth market/technical analysis and evaluation of your finalised design. You will extend and apply your knowledge of manufacturing, production and specification design to your design practice: products, environments, buildings, materials etc. You will demonstrate critical analysis and evaluation of market, technical, manufacturing and economic aspects relating to your design solutions(S). (20% oral presentation, 80% final piece of assessment).

+ Major Project - Major Project Fashion and Costume

 

Northern College of Costume

 

The course runs over the summer for 15 weeks (followed by up to 6 week work placement).

 It is an intensive, highly practical, 4 month course aimed at people with prior experience and a passion for costume.
The course is a structured, work based training programme designed to develop students existing knowledge of costume making. All tutors on the course are experienced professional costumiers, highly regarded by the profession and with a wealth of knowledge to pass on. The course will provide students with the necessary skills to become wardrobe assistants.

Project 1
Period Menswear. The period differs each year and has included 17th Century Cavalier, 18th Century Georgian and 19th Century Darcy style  suits.  All the tailoring techniques are incorporated.
Project 2
19th Century Women’s wear Incorporating corsetry, underpinnings, and period decoration.  The bustle period enables the student to learn many different techniques and cutting styles.
Project 3
20th Century.  This project enables the student to learn how to work with difficult fabrics and involves lots of hand finishing.  Both the 30's bias cut and 40's draping/tucks/pleats offer a variety of challenges.
As well as project work, one day per week is devoted to building up a portfolio of samples and techniques.
A photoshoot during the final week is a chance for students to enjoy themselves, have their hair and make up done vintage style and allow them to reflect on all the fantastic costumes they have created.
Field trips are arranged to local and national fabric and haberdashery suppliers and museum collections. Recent trips include: fabric shopping at Yorkshire Mills and London, visiting costume collections at the York Castle Museum private collection and Temple Newsham Textile Gallery and Victoria & Albert Museum.
On successful completion of the course, all students are offered at least 1 work placement of between 4 and 6 weeks duration. Theatres in support of the College include; Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Scottish Opera, Royal Opera House, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Manchester Royal Exchange, Sheffield Crucible, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Stoke New Vic,  Derby Playhouse.
Students may also have the opportunity to work as wardrobe assistants on freelance projects. Productions have included 'Blood and Chocolate' York,  The Mystery Plays, York,  constructing period uniforms for the London Transport Museum and  the interpreting 18th century occupational costume for the National Trust.

There are four universities in London which offer costume courses, these are: University of the Arts London, London College of Fashion - Costume for Performance; University of the Arts London, Wimbledon College of Arts - Theatre & Screen: Costume Design; Royal Academy of Dramatic Art London - Theatre Costume; Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, University of London - Theatre Practice: Costume Construction.

Costume Production and Associated Crafts - Plymouth College of Art

This intensive and practical programme aims to train costume designers and interpreters for a wide range of opportunities in the performance industries. We place specific focus on developing understanding of design and interpretation to support the technical skills for production of all types of costumes and accessories.
The programme targets the skills most sought after in the industry, including strong technical skills in pattern cutting and costume construction, to the quality and durability essential for performance; and specialist skills in dyeing, breaking down, and small props such as masks, millinery and costume jewellery. The unique strength of this programme is the combination of a technical focus with opportunities to experience the wide range of performance industry here in the southwest, from innovative touring companies through to production of large scale West End shows.
Live project briefs will give students a real feel for what it is like to work in this industry. The programme will be underpinned with the development of strong drawing skills, address fundamental approaches to professional practice and employability as well as covering research on historical and cultural contexts and the development of essential organisational and communication skills. PCA is an exciting place to study with 150 years of innovation in art. You will work alongside students involved in film and stage productions, and have access to new workshop facilities including digital printing, textile technology and 3D making.
This course demands a high level of commitment and a passionate interest in the craft of making. We provide a strong support network through our learning skills team.

Costume for Theatre , Television and Film - Bristol Old Vic Theatre School

This is an intensive vocational and highly practical course for four students per year covering all aspects of costume work. This includes pattern-cutting, costume making, Costume Supervision, dyeing, millinery, corset making, history of costume, hiring and buying to budget, wig care, basic make-up and all organisational aspects of the work. The students work to given designs, drafting, fixing and making for and dressing all School’s public productions and TV shoots which number between twelve and fourteen per year.

Year 1

During the first year, students attend classes and workshops, produce sample work and projects to demonstrate professional techniques in pattern-cutting, making, Costume Assisting, Supervision, costume construction and allied subjects.

Year 2

During the second year, Costume students have the opportunity to learn the basics of menswear, tailoring and continue to hone the skills learned in their first year to produce a selection of costumes for the School’s public performances. They fulfil the role of Costume Supervisor on a short film as well as Costume Supervision on at least two theatre productions, working alongside Industry professionals and student designers. In the Spring term, each student prepares a portfolio, a CV and business cards has a further opportunity to pursue their preferred subject through work experience. At the end of the Summer term, Costume students prepare for Industry Interviews and exhibit their work in a showcase exhibition in Bristol.The aim of the Course is to equip students with the necessary skills to work in Theatre, Film and Television Costume Departments. Theatre work will include opera, dance, classical and contemporary drama, television and film work may range from game shows, soap operas, film, situation comedies, costume dramas and contemporary dramas. Many graduates work within and eventually run departments in all areas of costume work, others set up in business for themselves to work on a freelance basis within the Industry.
There is a BA Hons top-up year for this course for eligible students who wish to specialise in one of the subjects from the Foundation Degree.

Recent Costume graduates have gone on to work on; 24, Call the Midwife, Poldark, Five Daughters, Lost Honour, Atlantis, Stella, Casualty, Downton Abbey, Trollied, Skins, Being Human, New Tricks, Upstairs Downstairs, Larkrise to Candleford Mistresses, Vera, George Gently and Merlin. Theatre work includes; Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty, Nottingham Playhouse, Polka Theatre, White Horse Theatre, Gifford’s Circus, Rio de Janeiro Carnival, The Bristol Old Vic, The Tobacco Factory, The Globe, Glyndebourne, Chichester Festival Theatre, The Royal National Theatre, The English National Opera, The Royal Opera House and The Royal Shakespeare Company.

Application Fee for Technical Courses is £30
UK/EU students on undergraduate courses (BA (Hons) & FdA Courses): £9,000

Costume with Performance Design - Arts University Bournemouth

Course duration

3 years

UCAS Code

W451

Institution Code

A66

Home/EU fees

£9,000 per annum

Costume and performance design is a diverse and demanding subject – you need to be interested in art, design and all types of performance. You’ll discover how to create whole new worlds on this exciting and creative course. As well as technical skill, you’ll learn that great design depends on your ability to interpret ideas and we place a real emphasis on conceptual work.
You’ll work alongside students from the film, make-up, and acting courses on stage and film productions. While your eventual career may not be in both design and making, we believe that understanding the overall production process is what sets our students apart and gives them an edge.

3 Year Degree

Regular trips to theatre productions in London

Open plan studio spaces, industrial sewing machines, dye Room and Studio Theatre

Costume Interpretation with Design - Cleveland  College of Art and Design


Overview
This creative programme will provide you with the specialist skills required to design, interpret and construct professional costumes for theatre, film, TV, dance and heritage. The programme aims to produce motivated and adaptable graduates, who can respond to the challenges of these constantly evolving industries.
What will you study on the programme?
In your first year (Level Four) you will explore:

• Period and contemporary pattern cutting
• Design and illustration for costume
• Fabric manipulation and applied surface decoration
• Costume construction techniques
• Critical analysis and costume interpretation

In your second year (Level Five) you will develop:

• Hat making and trimming techniques
• Theatre tailoring and specialist sampling
• Costume communication theory and visualisation skills
• Research and exploration skills for specialist costume
• Professional and commercial links within the industry

In your third year (Level Six) you will produce:

• A final project
• Work for competitions and live industry briefs
• Portfolios that span traditional and social media routes
• Gallery exhibition
• Dissertation

Throughout the programme, you will study both Professional Studies and Contextual Studies, which underpin the practical and creative aspects of your learning experience.
You will gain experience of the real world of costume design through live assignments, work experience, exhibitions, competitions, study visits and visiting lecturers/speakers, all of which are tailored to enhance your skills, professional contacts and the application of your creative practice.

What can you do after you graduate?
By the end of the programme, you will have developed the skills required to seek employment or self-employment in a diverse range of areas linked to costume interpretation and design:

• Costume designer for film, TV, theatre, dance and live performance
• Costume maker
• Pattern cutter
• Wardrobe supervisor / assistant
• Milliner
• Costume conservation / heritage industry
• Bridal designer / maker
• Costume illustrator
• Teaching and lecturing
• Postgraduate study, e.g. MA Costume Design

What skills and experience will be gained?
This programme offers a wealth of skills such as:

• Flat pattern cutting and draping on the stand using period and contemporary silhouettes
• Structured underwear construction
• Fabric sourcing
• Research skills
• Illustration techniques and technical drawing
• Design for performance and exhibition
• Costume finishing techniques
• Buying, sourcing / hiring and styling
• Tailoring
• Period and bespoke techniques
• Millinery
• Embellishment techniques
• Professional practice skills

Entry Requirements

A typical offer is 240 tariff points. We interview all applicants and through the interview process we attach considerable importance to your portfolio of work.

Performance Costume - Edinburgh College of Art

Our programme is one of the few in the country that teaches costume-making alongside costume design. A comprehensive curriculum, including life drawing, textiles, millinery, set design, model making and puppetry, coupled with our extensive work placement connections provides you with an excellent knowledge of costume design and costume making for stage, screen and live performance. Students are encouraged to be innovative, individual, adaptable designers and makers. The course is highly respected in the industry which is reflected in our impressive employment record once students graduate.
The costume designers' ideas spring from the written word, spoken word, music, movement, location or period through concept, colour, cut and texture. The students learn to become skilled at accurate recreation as well as expressing imaginative flair. Performance Costume crosses a range of art forms including theatre, dance, opera, television, film, performance art, music video and installation.
On the Performance Costume programme we encourage innovative and individual creative responses whilst balancing a strong craft and technical expertise.
Integrated with the practical studio work, contextual and theoretical studies provide a sound understanding of the holistic nature of contemporary costume design.

Year 1

You will be introduced to the theoretical and practical concepts of Design through a series of projects for performance. You will be introduced to basic pattern cutting, life drawing and millinery. In the symposium weeks you will work across disciplines with all students in the design school. You will be integral in the running of our end-of-year fashion and costume show where you will gain valuable professional practice skills.

Year 2

You will be set a range of design projects covering a variety of performance design. A greater understanding of the design process is developed through tutorials in pattern cutting and sewing, and you will be introduced to set design and model making and a variety of workshops. Life drawing and computer skills are integrated into the programme. In the symposium weeks you will collaborate with students across the design school disciplines. Your practical costume work will be shown at the end-of-year fashion and costume show.

Year 3

You will be working on a variety of projects with external connections. Work experience is an invaluable part of our course. We have extensive links with stage and screen companies. Our students have had internships with the Lyceum Theatre, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Festival, Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, the Royal Opera House, the V&A Museum, Pinewood Studios, Universal Films, HBO, BBC, ITV and numerous other stage and film companies. Students also collaborate with ECA's Film and TV Programme. Elective courses are available from within the wider University.

Year 4

In your final year you will select your own projects to design for. You will feel confident about your ability to research, express ideas, opinions and concerns through your ability to contextualise your theoretical and practical work. Practice and research are consolidated and refined while developing your individual voice to produce a final body of design and costume work. You will exhibit your design books and costume makes at the end-of-year Degree Show and show your final costumes in the prestigious end-of-year fashion and costume show.

How will I be taught?

The majority of teaching and learning is through involvement in a range of experiential projects, situated in a studio environment. Conceptual, material and technical issues are explored through seminars, workshops, lectures, tutorials and critiques. Research, critical thinking and study of the visual, intellectual, social and professional contexts that shape creative design practice are regarded as essential to your development. This often involves participation in exhibitions, industry competitions and live projects.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment is continuous throughout the year, to give meaningful feedback and to encourage experimentation in the studio and beyond. Formative assessment is a mix of verbal and written. There is a mid session review usually at the end of Semester 1. Annual summative assessment at the end of the second semester is informed by your progress throughout the year.

Academic Session	Home - Scotland/EU	Home - RUK	Overseas/International
2014/5	£1,820	£9,000	£20,050

End of Year Exhibition

I enjoyed the exhibition at the end of the year as it was a way to show off all the hard work that we did from different angles however I did not like the fact that it wasn't fairly set out. Some students got more space to stand up their work than others, for that reason I preferred the catwalk as everyone's garment was shown for an equal amount of time. However, the exhibition was better in the way that our work could be closely studied. People could come and look at our work up close and see all the effort put into our garment's. I also enjoyed the fact that we could write a statement about what our work related to and that meant people understood what the garments were made for and why. Also we got to put up pictures of our photo shoot, this was a benefit for me as my garment had four separate parts and it meant that people could see the individual pieces put together in different ways, it gave some variety to my work compared to them just seeing the garment all put together.

I didn't like the way that my exhibit got moved. I had set it up as shown in the first three pictures and my pictures were hung from the ceiling, shown on both sides. When I went back on the day of the exhibition my mannequin had been moved and the pictures had been stuck to the wall. This meant that the hood of my garment wasn't hanging the way I wanted it to and also you could only see half of my pictures. Therefore people at the exhibition couldn't see all the different ways my garment could be set up.

 

My exhibit

 

 

Hilal's exhibit

 

 

Lipika's exhibit

 

 

Abby's exhibit

 

 

Chris' exhibit

 

 

Heraa's exhibit

 

 

Rachael's exhibit

 

 

Kate's exhibit

 

 

Hilary's exhibit

 

 

Stacey's exhibit

 

 

Asma's exhibit