Costume design For the Stage

The Reason for costume design When you meet a person for the first time, your perception of their personality is based on three factors. 7% of your perception is based what they are saying 38% of your perception is based on their tone of voice 55% of your perception of a stranger is based on their appearance

The Reason for costume design Costumers understand that when a performer walks onto the stage for the first time, the audience’s feelings about the character is heavily based on the character’s appearance A costume designer can manipulate the audience’s perception of a character through the design.

Costume design vs. Fashion Design In fashion design the main purpose is to create a visually stunning design. The fashion designer might look to current trends, historical influences, or try to create a new style There may be very little connection from one design to the next in a collection There is very little thought to the personality or character of the person who is eventually going to wear the clothes

Costume design vs. Fashion Design To be an effective costume design, the design must complete certain criteria Reflect the Production concept of the design team Exibit a Unity in the Style of design of all the costumes Provide a visual reflection of the personality and nature of each character Reflect information about the Given Circumstances of the Play

Character COSTUME DESIGN Designs that are dictated by the specific information contained in the play (historical period, location, season, climate, socio-economic status, occupation, personality) are known as character based costume designs

Decorative Costumes Decorative costume designs are not based on conveying information but more for adding to the bigger picture of the over all concept. Ex. Extras in the background of a movie or a dancer’s outfit at a recital Every design will have a mix of Character based design elements and decorative design elements.

Psychological Aspects of Clothing What a person wears and how it is worn says a great deal about that person and the society in which he or she lives. In corporate America men and women tend to wear conservativley cut somber colored suits. Anyone wishing to fit in with that world would dress along with that fashion to blend in with the business environment

A person rebelling from that environment might not wear a jacket and tie. They might leave their shirt un-tucked, and roll up their sleeves. Using clothing to conform to a group or rebel against a group in society is one main reason for wearing clothes. It is a form of identity.

Objective Information provided by Clothing Historical Period Age Gender Socio- Economic Status Occupation Climate and Season

General Considerations of Costume Design Analyzing the Script, Stereotypical Costuming, Character Evolution, Costume Stylization, Interpretation of Period, color, and fabric

Practical considerations of the costume designer Needs of the Actor Physical Needs (fit, comfort, motion) Production Venue (can it read from the stage) Budget and Construction Demands (Renting, Buying, Modifying)

“Costume Bible” Cast Lists and Production Contact Sheets Cast Measurement Sheets Calendars, schedules, and deadlines Costume Plots and Lists Budgeting Sheets of Running Cost, Rental Contracts and Stock Pull Lists Copies of Renderings, sketches and Research Swatches and dyeing instructions SM Production Notes