The Costume Designer

A Costume Designer is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film or stage production. He or she is considered part of the "production team", alongside the director, scenic and lighting designers as well as the sound designer. The costume designer might also collaborate with a hair/wig master or a makeup designer.

Students were treated to a special talk with Alexander Shankle, a professional costume designer.  Alex brought with him examples of costumes he has designed, as well as a multimedia presentation of his designs working with stage and costume conventions.  He also brought a beautiful portfolio of his designs and sketches to really give the students a full idea of how a costume is designed from conception to finished product.



Costume Designers will typically seek to enhance a character's persona, and/or to create an evolving plot of color, changing social status or period through the visual design of garments and other means of dressing, distorting and enhancing the body - within the framework of the director's vision.

At the same time, the designer must ensure that the designs allow the actor to move in a manner consistent with the historical period and enables the actor to execute the director's blocking of the production without damage to the garments.


Additional considerations include the durability and washability of garments, particularly in extended runs.

The designer must work in consultation with not only the director, but the set and lighting designers to ensure that the overall design of the production works together.

The designer needs to possess strong artistic capabilities as well as a thorough knowledge of pattern development, draping, drafting, textiles and costume/fashion history as well as awareness of poise when in period dress, and be sensitive to the creative direction that the performer wants to take his/her character.

A costume designer creates the look of a character in film , television or in a stage production.

Thank you, Alex for an interesting and exciting look into the world and work of the Costume Designer!

Here is a great tutorial on the process undertaken by the "Costume Designer."