Costume Designer

Also known as:

Designer, Costume
Theatre Costume Designer
Film Costume Designer
Television Costume Designer

Introduction

Costume designers design clothes and accessories to suit particular characters and settings. There are opportunities to work in theatre, film and television. Designers carry out detailed research before creating the appropriate costumes. In some cases, they may hire or buy costumes from second-hand clothes shops and other suppliers.

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Work Activities

Costume designers work in theatre, film or television production. They design costumes and select accessories to suit specific characters and settings. Before beginning their designs they have to read, analyse and interpret the script they are working on.

They spend a lot of time carrying out detailed research, especially if they are designing period costumes. This may involve reading text books, period magazines, visiting museums and art galleries, and examining old photographs. If they are collecting modern materials, they may spend time observing and taking photographs of people in the street.

Following the research, the designer takes measurements of the cast members. Next they create the costumes using skills such as:
• pattern drafting
• cutting
• sewing
• wig-making
• millinery (hat-making).

Designers are given a budget that they use to buy fabric or to hire or buy whatever cannot be made.

Costume designers work closely with directors, producers, technicians, and lighting and set designers as well as performers. This helps them to produce designs that suit the overall look of the production. Directors usually have the final say about all aspects of production. Some may prefer the designer to have a great deal of creative freedom. Others like to give detailed guidelines that they expect the designer to follow.

The work may involve local travel, or more extensive travel in the UK and possibly overseas.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You should be artistic, creative and imaginative, with an excellent eye for colour, form, fabric and design. You must be capable of paying meticulous attention to detail.

It is important that you are flexible and adaptable and able to adjust your work to the needs of the script and the wishes of the director. You should be able to accept constructive criticism, work calmly under pressure and meet deadlines.

Some of the work may be physically demanding. Costume designers often need to lift and carry heavy clothes and textiles.

You also need to be tactful and diplomatic, especially if performers or directors are not wholly satisfied with the allocation or design of costumes.

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Pay and Opportunities

Pay rates for costume designers vary depending on the media they work in: theatre, television or film, and whether they are employed or self-employed.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Employed, resident costume designers in the theatre earn in the range of £17,500 - £22,500 a year, and higher salaries are possible. Freelance designers earn from around £2,000 - £3,000 per production, and higher rates are possible.

Freelance rates in television vary depending on the type of production, but range from around £500 a week for assistant costume designer to around £800 per week for a senior designer.

Costume designers work a basic 40-hour week. However, early starts, late finishes, evening and weekend work may be required. Designers may also be required to work intensively for periods, especially in the run-up to a production.

Costume designers are employed in theatre, television and film. Most are self-employed, freelance designers. They are usually employed on short contracts and may move from production to production between all three media. There may be a few opportunities with specialist costumiers.

Consultancy and fixed-term contract work may be available for experienced designers. You can obtain this work through specialist recruitment agencies.

Comparatively few posts in costume design are available and there is severe competition for freelance work.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Skills gained as an assistant in a design studio or workshop are valued. Experience gained in the costume department of an amateur or professional theatre is also useful.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course (eg, Access to Art and Design) could be the way in. No formal qualifications are usually required, but you should check individual course details.

They can lead to relevant degree/HND courses.

Universities and colleges of higher education (HE) will usually consider applications from candidates who do not meet their usual entry requirements, especially those with experience in arts, crafts or design. You should check the admissions policy of individual universities and HE colleges.

To enter this work or relevant courses, you need to have a portfolio of work showing your creative ability.

• 45% of people in occupations such as costume designer are self-employed.
• 19% work part-time.
• 12% have flexible hours.
• 3% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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New Developments

This occupation may involve homeworking.  Find out more about Working from home.