Finding the Best Costume Design Career for You

by Fran Walker
Fashion School Review Columnist

July 28, 2005

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The best costume design and clothing design careers require a great deal of perseverance. You might choose a costume design program geared toward a certain area, such as theater, or you might want to work on costume designs for TV. Where do you start?

Your Costume Design Program

Your costume design program should include actual work experience, which will give you a taste of the best costume design career for you. Since most designers are freelance, you should also learn about marketing. You will, of course, need to develop an excellent portfolio and a good list of contacts.

Getting Started

Not all clothing or costume designers become freelance right away, but your contacts may be able to help you find regular employment. You could also seek the services of an agent, or consider investing in your own web site, which can be one of the cheapest and most effective forms of marketing.

Costume Design for TV, Film or Theater?

By far the most, if not the best, costume design jobs are available in the theater, so this could be the easiest place to start. You could also see if any companies offer costume design training programs for TV and film. Depending on what you want to do, you may need to move to a bigger city to get the best design opportunities.

Costume design jobs for TV, film, and theater each hold their own benefits. Perhaps the best thing about costume design careers could be having that choice!

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About the Author
Fran Walker is a freelance writer, editor and researcher specializing in educational, health, safety and domestic issues. Previously, she spent five years in marketing in the self-help, health and health and safety sectors before leaving to start a family

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