Costume Designer

What does a Costume Designer do?

What does a Costume Designer do?

The COSTUME DESIGNER transforms the actors into their characters through the use of clothing and helps situate a production in a specific time and place through the visual cues of clothing. They design, research, source, and construct the clothes for all the actors in a production. Their job responsibilities may also include those of a MAKE-UP ARTIST or WIG SPECIALIST.

Skills

Sewing | Sketching | Drawing | Attention to detail

Pathways

Degree in design, production, and/or fashion | Internship | Wardrobe Assistant

How to become a Costume Designer

How to become a Costume Designer

Many colleges and universities offer degrees and concentrations in production and design, as well as opportunities to work on school or student-led productions. Broadway costume designers can also attend schools that focus on the creation and study of fashion and garment-making. Those just starting out may want to explore available classes, workshops, amateur productions, and volunteer opportunities available in their region for training and experience as costume designers and sewers.

Spotlight on Broadway’s “William Ivey Long Costume Designer”

PBS LearningMedia’s “ANNIE ON BROADWAY: What Does a Costume Designer Do?”

Broadway.com’s “ANASTASIA Costume Designer Linda Cho”

'Hamilton' Costume Designer Paul Tazewell Talks Creative Process, video courtesy of TheProducersPerspective.com.

"Behind the Curtain" Linda Cho, Costume Designer for Anastasia