Costume designers are responsible for the overall look of the clothes and costumes in theatre, film or television productions. They research and design costumes, and lead a costume department that may include a design assistant, wardrobe supervisor, wardrobe assistants and skilled costume makers and craftspeople.

The costume department may be large or small depending on the type of production. On large productions, the designer creates the costume ideas and delegates most of the practical work to the wardrobe supervisor and other members of the costume team. On small-scale, fringe or low-budget productions, the team is much smaller and the designer may also carry out more of the practical tasks themselves.

Costume designers:

• discuss the play or film’s overall look with the director, producer, production designer, and other key design and technical staff such as make-up, set and lighting designers
• research costume styles, fabrics and designs to suit the production's time period or setting
• study scripts
• create costume ideas to fit in with the production’s design concept and budget
• sketch costume designs
• work with a team of costume makers, tailors and milliners, who turn their sketches into wearable garments.

On smaller productions, they may also:

• manage the costume/wardrobe budget
• buy or hire ready-made outfits
• fit, alter and adapt costumes
• clean and mend the costumes
• make sure that all items are available when needed
• manage continuity.

Please see Skillset’s website for more detailed information about specific costume job roles in film and television.

Hours and Environment

Hours are variable and may involve evening and weekend work to meet deadlines.

Costume designers might work in a studio, an office or from home. They also attend meetings and rehearsals at theatres.

Designers may spend long periods away from home on location work or touring with a production.

Skills and Interests

To be a costume designer you should:

• have excellent creative, artistic and design skills
• have excellent communication and people skills
• be able to lead a team
• be highly organised, able to work to deadlines and manage a budget
• have patience and stamina
• work well under pressure
• have good research skills with a knowledge of costume history and modern fashion
• be able to solve problems and make last-minute changes where necessary
• have good knowledge of the production process, including technical aspects such as lighting and sound.

Entry

There are no set entry requirements, but most costume designers have a Higher National Diploma (HND), degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject such as:

• costume design
• fashion
• theatre design
• art and design
• performing arts (production).

To enter a degree course you will usually need at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two A levels/three Highers, including an art or design-related subject. Equivalent qualifications such as an art and design foundation course or an Access to Higher Education qualification may also be accepted for entry to certain courses. You will also usually have to show a portfolio of design work. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

See the UCAS website to find art and design foundation courses all over the UK.

As well as gaining qualifications, you must also find practical work experience and build a good portfolio or showreel of your design work. You can gain relevant experience through:

• student theatre and film productions
• amateur theatre
• working as a costume ‘daily’ (temporary casual helpers on TV or film sets)
• casual wardrobe work in theatres
• working for a theatrical costume hire company.

You may be able to enter the film and TV industry through a new entrants’ training scheme. Film and Television Freelance Training (FT2) runs a two-year apprenticeship-style New Entrant Technical Training Scheme for wardrobe assistants, which can be a starting point for a career as a costume designer. Places are strictly limited and the selection process is tough. To apply for the scheme you should:

• be aged 18 or over
• have sewing, pattern cutting and drawing skills, preferably with a relevant qualification
• be prepared to live in London during training
• be able to prove that you are committed to finding work experience in the film and TV industry.

See FT2’s website for more details of the scheme. Contact Skillset Careers for advice about finding work experience in the film and television industry.

You may be able to become a costume designer without a degree, by working your way up through craft or assistant jobs in the costume department. To succeed, you will need a lot of experience, good contacts and an excellent portfolio/showreel of work.

Training

You will usually begin as a costume design assistant or wardrobe assistant and learn on the job from experienced designers.

You must continue to build up your portfolio/showreel, and develop your skills and contacts throughout your career. Joining professional bodies such as the Chartered Society of Designers and the Society of British Theatre Designers gives professional recognition and networking opportunities. See Further Information for contact details.

Skillset and the British Film Institute jointly provide a database of media courses, including some relevant short courses for film and television costume designers. See Skillset’s website for more details.

You may find it useful to join the Costume Society, which provides networking opportunities and publications to allow members to keep up to date with the latest research in costume history. Contact details in Further Information.

Opportunities

Costume designers are usually self-employed and work on freelance contracts for:

• film and television production companies
• theatre production companies
• producers of music videos and commercials.

Permanent employment or long-term contracts may be possible in larger theatres that present their own productions, or large TV broadcasters such as the BBC. Some costume designers work for design consultancies, or set up their own consultancy.

Competition for jobs is fierce. Success depends on talent, reputation and contacts.

Annual Income

The annual income section is intended as a guideline only.

Earnings in theatre can range from £17,000 to £38,000 per year.
Well-established designers may earn up to £60,000 or more.

Equity can advise about rates of pay for costume designers working in the theatre.

Earnings in film and television can be much higher than in theatre, but pay can depend on experience, the type of production and the budget available. Freelance rates within the media vary widely and may be calculated on a daily or weekly basis. Fees can be negotiated individually or from guidelines provided by the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union, BECTU.

Further information

Rosehill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 0870 1122 211 Guild House
Upper St Martin’s Lane
London
WC2H 9EG
Tel: 020 7379 6000 Prospect House
80-110 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1HB Fourth Floor
55 Farringdon Road
London
EC1M 3JB
Tel: 020 7242 9200 Tel: 08080 300 900 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 100 8094 for Scotland

373-377 Clapham Road London SW9 9BT