References:

1.) Anderson, Barbara; Anderson, Cletus. Costume Design. New York : Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1984. Print

2.) Corey, Irene. The mask of reality; an approach to design for theatre. Anchorage, Ky: Anchorage Press, 1968. Print.

3.) Covey, Liz; Ingham, Rosemary. The Costume Designer's Handbook. Portsmouth, NH: Prentice Hall Inc., 1983. Print

4.) Eubank, Keith; Tortora, Phyllis G. Survey of Historic Costume. Fourth Edition New York: Fairchild Publications, Inc., 2005. Print.

5.) Fernald, Mary; Shenton, Eileen. Costume design & making: a practical handbook. New York: Theatre Arts Books, 1967. Print.

6.) Finkel, Alicia. Romantic stages: set and costume design in Victorian England. Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland, 1996. Print.

7.) Henderson, Mary C. Theater in America : 250 years of plays, players, and productions. New York : Abrams, 1996. Print.

8.) Owen, Bobbi. Costume design on Broadway : designers and their credits, 1915-1985. New York : Greenwood Press, 1987. Print.

9.) Prisk, Berneice; Byers, Jack A. Costuming. New York : Richards Rosen, 1969. Print.

10.) Russell, Douglas A. Stage costume design: theory, technique, and style. New York, NY : Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1973. Print.


Costume Design

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Costume is specific in the style of dress particular to a nation, a class, or a period. The most basic designs are produced to denote status, provide protection or modesty, or simply decorate a being.[1] Costume design is a tool to express an art form, such as a play or film script, dance piece, or opera.

Design Process

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The costume design process involves many steps and though they differ from genre to genre a basic method is commonly used.

1.) Analysis: The first step is an analysis of the script, musical composition, choreography, etc. Parameters must be established:

  • Indication of events happening before the piece took place if applicable
  • Geographical location
  • Day, month, year or specific season
  • Who the characters are regarding relationships and socio economics, government and religious rule, and ethical conduct, marriage or family.
  • The function of each character in regards to protagonist, antagonist etc.
  • Dialogue mode of text
  • Texts action in sequence. This is used to create a Costume Plot or Action Chart, which lists which characters are in what scene.
  • Theme of the text

2.) Design Collaboration: An important phase in the process is meeting with the director and fellow designers. There must be a clear understanding of:

  • Script/Text
  • Budget
  • Time table/Calendar

3.) Costume Research: Once guidelines are established, the next step is to gather research.

  • A research outline is important to focus your attention, listing any questions necessary to complete your study.
  • Use primary sources for the majority of your research; Such as, museums, periodicals, newspapers, sculptures, paintings, etc.

4.) Preliminary Sketching and Color Layout Once enough information is obtained to begin drawing, a preliminary sketch must be performed. Successful preliminary sketching conveys an accurate depiction of:

  • Line, which will show the silhouette of the targeted piece of clothing
  • Proportion, of not only the garment but also the actors body.
  • Detail, of not specifics but general ideas. Such as the indication of what type of fabric or pattern may be used.
  • A color layout, using either fabric swatches, or paint samples needs to be represented.

5.) Final Sketches The final costume sketch can be completed in any medium but must include:

  • Name of text
  • Name of character/actor
  • Scene(s) in which costume is represented
  • Signed signature of artist
  • Swatch of fabric if being constructed

Production Process

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Once the show is designed, it is necessary to plan where the items will be sourced. There are four options. Garments can be:

  • Pulled, which refers to searching through a costume shops stock
  • Rented
  • Shopped
  • Constructed, or also known as made to order.

There are two ways a garment can begin to be constructed; either pattern drafted or draped, and many times both methods will be used together. Pattern Drafting begins by using a set of basic pattern blocks developed from the actor’s measurements. They are drawn out on paper first, then transferred to fabric, and sewn together to test fit. [2] (See also Pattern (sewing)) Draping involves manipulating a piece of fabric on a dress form or mannequin that have measurements closely related to the actors. It is a process that takes a flat piece of cloth and shapes it to conform the fabric to a three-dimensional body by cutting and pinning. File:Pattern Corrections by Jeanette Aultz 2013.jpg


  1. ^ Eubank, Tortora, Keith, Phyllis G. (2005). Survey of Historic Costume. New York: Fairchild Publications. p. 1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ Covey, Ingham, Liz, Rosemary (2003). The Costume Technician's Handbook. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. p. 98.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)