Costume Designer.

Costume Designer.

1. The role of a Costume Designer.

   • The role of a costume designer is to create a persons'/characters' costume/outfit and make the scene/performance has the correct balance of both texture and colour.
   • The costume designer should collaborate with other stylists involved with the production/show ( such as: hair stylist, make-up artist, ect) as well as making sure the directors and producers, ect, are fully aware of what they are designing.

2. Responsibilities of a Costume Designer.

   • A costume designer should always watch the dance/read the script to gain information of what he/she is designing for.
   • The costume designer should always consider when the piece is set, who is feeling what emotion when, fashion trends at the time and the location of the piece.
   • Know the budget that he/she is working with.
   • Have regular meet ups the director and production team to ensure that he/she is exceeding their expectations.
     • This may mean presenting current costume ideas to the team to gain thoughts, likes and dislikes of his/hers current ideas.
   • Select or approve fabric/material chosen.
   • Design/choose accessories.
     • If anything is borrowed/rented make sure that there is something in place to returned the item/s.
   • Attend all fittings.

3. Skills needed to be a costume designer.

   • Creativity.
   • Imagination.
   • Problem solving ability.
   • A very high level of designing skills.
   • A high level of communication skills.
     • 'People skills.'
   • The ability to lead a team to success.
   • Organised.
   • The ability to keep track of a budget.
   • Ideally a perfectionist.
   • Able to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
   • Good research skills.
     • Knowledge of costume history.
     • Knowledge of modern fashion.
   • A flexible and adaptable attitude.
   • Ideally have knowledge of the production process.
     • Including sound and lightning.