Costume Design Fashion Jobs

by Sarah Clark
Fashion School Review Columnist

March 22, 2006

Send to a friend |

Printable Version

Costume designers play an important role in making films more authentic and visually appealing. They work with directors, producers, and actors to create clothing that supports character and plot development. It's a fashion job that's sexy and challenging.

The television and DVD production industry is expected to grow in the years ahead. Most of the growth is a result of increased demand for shows and films. Costume designers might benefit from this development, as they are needed in nearly every production to create costumes for characters.

HBO, for example, offers some of the most interesting fashion jobs for costume designers. Its Wild West-era production Deadwood uses costume designers to create clothing from the gold-rush period of the 1800s. The Wire, another HBO drama, features late 1990s fashion. While the clothing is modern, it varies according to each character--detectives wear jeans, captains don pressed polyester uniforms, and drug runners wear gangsta garb. Designers are responsible for such wardrobe decisions.

Fashion Schooling in Costume Design

Costume designers, like other fashion designers, typically attend fashion school before pursuing a career in fashion. They may attend a program that offers classes on costume arts and film. Those seeking a career in fashion might also benefit from learning a little history. While you don't need to be an expert in every era of clothing, it's helpful to have a general framework of the history of habiliments.

Fashion design school programs may last two to four years. Two-year programs are typically associated with professional schools or art institutes whose curriculum is limited to fashion design. To get a more well-rounded education, you'll need to enroll in a four-year undergraduate program. In a B.A. program you'll be able to take courses from other disciplines such as history, philosophy, and film studies.

Finding the Right School for You

The best way to find the fashion design school that's right for you is to conduct research on your own. Decide where you want to attend school--in your home town or a fashion capital, such as New York, Los Angeles, Milan, or Paris--and review the programs available in those areas. Find schools that focus on costume design and you'll be well on your way to finding the program that's best suited to you.

About the Author
Sarah Clark is a freelance writer specializing in career development and postsecondary education.

Featured Schools
Campus The Art Institutes The Art Institutes system of schools is a leading educator of students in the creative and applied arts, including design, media, fashion, and culinary programs. Every program of study offered to you is regularly reviewed by industry leaders, advisors, and employers for relevance in the marketplace. Changes are made, if necessary, to integrate subject matter into the curriculum so that our degree programs reflect the way things are done in the real world of work. Programs listed are not offered at all locations. See more facts about The Art Institutes Program Offer: Fashion Design (BFA) Fashion Design (AA) Fashion Design (AAA) And more... Campus Locations: Chicago Dallas Denver Fort Lauderdale Houston Indianapolis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis New York North Hollywood Philadelphia Pittsburgh Portland San Antonio San Bernardino San Diego San Francisco Santa Ana Santa Monica Schaumburg Seattle Tucson Vancouver Campus American InterContinental University If you want to get serious about getting your degree, come to the school that doesn’t mess around. Our real-world based curriculum is industry-focused and made for busy, working professionals. We offer accelerated Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees with specializations in Business, Technology, Criminal Justice and Design that can be completed in as little as 15 months.* Tuition - No financial surprises here. We provide a net price calculator for you to get a quick estimate of your program costs/financial aid Adaptability- Attend classes on campus or online, this way, you can choose the class format that suits you best. Flexibility- You’re in control of the pace at which you want to learn because you can select between our part-time and full time pace options. We even have accelerated undergraduate degree programs and Master’s degrees that can be completed in as little as 15 months.* Generous Transfer-In-Policy- Transfer** up to 75% of our degree requirements from your approved past college credits or your work, even military experience. We are AIU. America’s #1 Unparty School™. Legal: Not all programs are available to residents of all states. AIU cannot guarantee employment or salary. Find disclosures on graduation rates, student financial obligations and more at aiuniv.edu/disclosures. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. * Program length may vary. Future costs and financial aid estimates are subject to change. Results of the calculator are not guaranteed and special circumstances are reviewed by the Financial Aid Office on a case-by-case basis. The accuracy of your estimated awards is based on the information you provide. It is intended for undergraduate domestic students. The estimated awards are based on the assumption that the student will complete the FAFSA. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. See more facts about American InterContinental University Program Offer: Bachelor of Fine Arts Fashion Marketing Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Marketing and Design Campus Locations: Atlanta Fort Lauderdale Campus International Academy of Design and Tech Start planning for your future. No matter what you want to achieve in your career, the International Academy of Design & Technology in Chicago can help. The Academy offers diverse and comprehensive degree programs in numerous Design disciplines as wel See more facts about International Academy of Design and Tech Program Offer: Fashion Design and Merchandising Fashion Design Fashion Design and Marketing Campus Locations: Chicago Henderson Nashville San Antonio Seattle Campus Visual College of Art and Design Follow your passion! For over 35 years, the Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD) has taught artists and imaginative people just like you. VCAD's Fine Arts diploma program is highly regarded for providing a well-rounded arts education in an environment that emphasizes creativity and individuality. Which program is right for you? Choose from Graphic Design, Marketing & Merchandising for Fashion, 3D Modelling Animation Art & Design, Fashion Design, and Interior Design. We know that employers want graduates who are knowledgeable about their field and possess the most up-to-date technical skills. That's why our students receive focused and specialized training on the tools, techniques, and technology used in their chosen career field. See more facts about Visual College of Art and Design Program Offer: Fashion Design Campus Locations: Vancouver Campus Collins College Prepare yourself for the future. Collins College, located in Tempe, AZ, is your gateway to the world of design and technology. Get the education you need to start a new career in Visual Communication, Multimedia Production, Animation, Digital Video, or PC See more facts about Collins College Program Offer: Fashion Design and Merchandising Campus Locations: Phoenix Online Stratford Career Institute Earn Your Diploma from Home! Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods. See more facts about Stratford Career Institute Program Offer:** Fashion Merchandising and Design