What does a historical costume designer do?

What is a Historical Costume Designer?

Historical costume designers are part artist, part technician, specializing in creating clothing and accessories that accurately represent the styles and fashions of specific historical periods. Their work is vital for ensuring historical accuracy and authenticity in films, television shows, theater productions, and other media. The historical costume designer is an important contributor to character development, cultural preservation, and audience engagement.

What does a Historical Costume Designer do?

Duties and Responsibilities
These are the principal components of the historical costume designer’s role:

• Research – Historical costume designers conduct extensive research to understand the clothing, fabrics, patterns, and accessories of the time period they are recreating. This involves studying historical texts, paintings, photographs, and existing garments.
• Design – Based on their research, they create detailed sketches and designs for the costumes. This includes selecting appropriate fabrics, colors, and styles that are true to the historical period.
• Collaboration – They work closely with directors, production designers, and actors to ensure the costumes align with the overall vision of the production and the characters' portrayals.
• Construction – Historical costume designers oversee the construction of the garments, which can involve pattern making, sewing, and fitting. They may work with a team of tailors and seamstresses to bring their designs to life.
• Attention to Detail – They pay meticulous attention to details such as stitching techniques, fabric types, and accessory choices to ensure the costumes are as authentic as possible.
• Adaptation – While striving for authenticity, they may need to adapt historical designs to accommodate modern practicalities, such as actor comfort and the physical demands of performances.
• Maintenance – In theater and film, they often manage the maintenance and repair of costumes throughout the production to ensure they are ready for performances or filming.

Types of Historical Costume Designers

Now that we have a sense of the scope of the historical costume designer’s work, let’s look at some different types of these designers, each specializing in various areas and requiring a unique set of skills and expertise:

• Film and Television Historical Costume Designers work on movies and TV shows, creating costumes that accurately represent the time period being portrayed on screen. They often need to balance historical accuracy with the practicalities of filming.
• Theater Historical Costume Designers create costumes for stage productions, where they must consider the visibility and durability of the costumes under stage lighting and during live performances.
• Reenactment Costume Designers create historically accurate costumes for historical reenactments and living history events, focusing on authenticity and the practical needs of participants who will be wearing the costumes for extended periods.
• Museum Exhibition Costume Designers work on creating or curating historical costumes for museum displays, often replicating historical garments or restoring original pieces to accurately reflect the period for educational purposes.
• Academic Historical Costume Designers teach and conduct research on historical costume design.
• Fashion and High-End Historical Costume Designers specialize in creating historically based fashion for haute couture or special collections, blending historical elements with modern fashion design.

In addition to working in one or more of the niches described above, historical costume designers may specialize further. Here are some examples:

• Period Specialization – Designers may specialize in specific historical periods, such as the Renaissance, Victorian era, Medieval times, 18th century, or 20th century. This allows them to develop deep expertise in the fashion, fabrics, and cultural context of that time.
• Geographical Focus – Some designers specialize in the costumes of a particular region or country, such as European, Asian, African, or Native American historical clothing, focusing on the unique styles and traditions of those areas.
• Textile and Fabric Expertise – Some historical costume designers specialize in the study and use of period-specific textiles and fabrics, ensuring that the materials used are as authentic as possible.
• Accessory Design – Specializing in historical accessories, such as hats, gloves, shoes, and jewelry, these designers focus on creating or sourcing period-appropriate accessories to complete the overall look.
• Pattern Making and Tailoring – Specializing in historical pattern making and tailoring techniques, these designers focus on creating accurate patterns and construction methods used in historical garment production.
• Restoration and Conservation – This specialization is focused on the restoration, preservation, and conservation of historical garments. Designers in this subfield work with museums, collectors, and archives to maintain and restore original pieces.
• Cultural and Social Context – Some designers specialize in understanding and interpreting the cultural and social context of historical clothing, ensuring that the designs reflect the societal norms and practices of the period.

What is the workplace of a Historical Costume Designer like?

Historical costume designers can work across a variety of fields and industries. These are among their most common employers:

• Film Studios – Major and independent studios hire historical costume designers to create period-accurate costumes for movies, TV shows, and documentaries.
• Television Networks and Production Companies – Networks and production companies producing historical dramas, documentaries, and mini-series employ designers to ensure period accuracy in costumes.
• Theater Companies – Both large theater companies and smaller regional or community theaters employ historical costume designers for plays and musicals set in specific historical periods.
• Museums and Historical Organizations – Museums, historical societies, and heritage sites hire these designers to create or restore costumes for exhibitions, displays, historical reenactments, living history events, and educational programs.
• Educational Institutions – Universities, colleges, and fashion schools may employ historical costume designers as educators or researchers in costume and fashion history departments.
• Cultural Institutions and Libraries – These institutions may hire historical costume designers to assist with special projects, exhibitions, or educational initiatives related to historical fashion.
• Fashion Houses and Couture Designers – Some fashion designers and high-end fashion houses hire historical costume designers for special collections or fashion shows that draw inspiration from historical periods.
• Costume Rental Companies – Companies that specialize in renting out costumes for productions, events, and parties may employ historical costume designers to create and maintain an inventory of period-accurate garments.
• Freelance and Consultancy – Many historical costume designers work as freelancers or consultants, taking on projects for various clients, including individual productions, private collectors, or fashion projects.

The workplace of a historical costume designer can vary. Here’s a glimpse at some of the environments in which these designers typically find themselves:

• Design Studios – Historical costume designers often work in design studios, which are equipped with drawing tables, computer-aided design (CAD) software, and ample space for creating sketches and patterns. These studios are the creative hub where initial designs and concepts are developed.
• Workshops and Sewing Rooms – These spaces are equipped with sewing machines, cutting tables, mannequins, and a variety of fabrics and sewing tools. Designers spend a significant amount of time here constructing garments, overseeing pattern making, and fitting costumes.
• Research Libraries and Archives – Historical costume designers frequently visit libraries, archives, and museums to conduct research. These visits help them gather information on historical fashion, fabrics, and accessories, ensuring the accuracy of their designs.
• Theaters and Film Sets – When working on theater productions or film projects, designers spend time on set or backstage, coordinating with directors, actors, and production teams.
• Exhibition Spaces and Conservation Labs – For those involved in museum work, their workplace might include exhibition spaces and conservation labs, where they design displays or work on the restoration and preservation of historical garments.
• Instructional Settings – Designers who teach or work in academic settings may have offices or studios within universities or fashion schools, equipped with the necessary tools and resources for both teaching and design work.
• Freelance / Home Studios – Freelance historical costume designers often work from home studios, which are customized with all the necessary equipment for designing, sewing, and research.
• Collaborative Workspaces – Designers often collaborate with other professionals such as tailors, seamstresses, and pattern makers, so their workplaces can include shared workshops and creative spaces where teamwork is essential.