Wardrobe assistants help to make, find and look after the clothing and costumes used in theatre, film and television productions. They are junior members of the costume department, and work under the direction of a costume supervisor or wardrobe master or mistress.

Their duties include:

• fitting and dressing the performers
• helping to buy and hire costume items
• standing by to look after the costumes between takes or scenes
• mending and altering costumes
• packing and unpacking costumes and accessories
• cleaning and ironing costumes
• helping to make pieces and put costumes together
• making sure that all items are available when needed
• keeping an accurate record of all items needed
• breaking down costumes.

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

Hours and Environment

Skills and Interests

To be a wardrobe assistant you should:

• have good practical and sewing skills (both by hand and machine) for making and altering clothes
• be creative and understand costume style, design and history
• be flexible and adaptable
• pay excellent attention to detail
• be able to follow instructions
• be well organised and able to work under pressure
• be calm and tactful when helping performers to dress
• have good people skills and work well in a team.

Entry

There are no set entry requirements, but you will need good practical skills such as hand and machine sewing, dressmaking and pattern cutting. You can gain these skills on various college courses such as:

• City & Guilds Level 1 (7722), Level 2 (7822/7823) and Level 3 (7922/7923) Certificates/Diplomas in Design and Craft - part-time courses that cover a range of creative crafts including fashion, tailoring, pattern cutting and theatre costume
• BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Art and Design (Fashion and Clothing), or SQA National Certificate/ Diploma in Fashion and Textile Technology (Scotland only) - courses may be full- or part-time, and you will usually need at least four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) or equivalent qualifications to enter.

There is strong competition for jobs so you will find it useful to have a university-level qualification, especially if you want to move into costume design (see the Costume Designer profile). Many wardrobe assistants have a Higher National Diploma (HND), degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject such as:

• costume design
• fashion
• textiles
• 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.

As well as gaining skills and qualifications, you must also find practical work experience and start to build up a portfolio or showreel of work to show to employers. You can gain relevant experience through:

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

Contact Skillset Careers for advice about finding work experience in the film and television industry.

Training

You will usually train on the job, learning from more experienced wardrobe supervisors, costume makers and designers.

Film and Television Freelance Training (FT2) runs a two-year apprenticeship-style training programme for new entrants to the technical and production areas of the film and TV industry. They offer a New Entrant Technical Training Scheme for wardrobe assistants. 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 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.

Major broadcasters and regional screen agencies such as Scottish Screen and Cyfle also sometimes run their own new entrant training schemes. See Skillset’s website or contact the Skillset Careers helpline for more information.

The Association of British Theatre Technicians offers various short courses to its members, including courses in costume skills. See their website for more details – contact details are in the Further Information section.

Skillset and the British Film Institute jointly provide a database of media courses, including some relevant short courses in wardrobe and costume skills for the stage and screen. See Skillset’s website for more details.

Opportunities

Wardrobe assistants usually work on freelance contracts for:

• film and television production companies
• theatre 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.

With experience, wardrobe assistants could progress to costume supervisor or wardrobe master/mistress, then possibly on to assistant costume designer (see the Costume Designer profile for more details).

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

Wardrobe and costume staff tend to specialise in either stage, film or TV, but very experienced people may be able to move into other areas.

Annual Income

The annual income section is intended as a guideline only.

Wardrobe assistants in theatre may start on £10,000 to £15,000 per year.
Experienced wardrobe assistants may earn up to £25,000 a year.

Earnings in film and television can be higher than in theatre.

Most people are employed on freelance contracts, and rates of pay will vary depending 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

Prospect House
80-110 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1HB 55 Farringdon Road
London
EC1M 3JB
Tel: 020 7242 9200 4th Floor
Warwick House
Warwick Street
London
W1R 5RA

373-377 Clapham Road London SW9 9BT

Tel: 08080 300 900 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 100 8094 for Scotland