1. A Royal Opera House Competition.

2. Watch the videos via the links below to give you an idea about the production…

3. The Brief: As set by The Royal Opera House
Please ensure that these elements are in your final research and designs:
Produce a sketchbook that shows initial and final sketches of your costume designs for three characters from La Boheme.
Your research should show your personal – as well as artistic – response to the themes and context of the opera or ballet. This should include an exploration of the issues raised in the opera and how the production you are working on reflects them.
Construct a costume that could be worn by one of these characters in a scene.
Your final design may be delivered as a full-size or a quarter-size garment on a model. You should also explain why you have chosen this scene and how your costume relates to the character and the scene.

4. Summer Homework
Over one - two A3 pages create a mindmap filled with ideas. The mindmap must be well presented, colourful, include your own sketches/typography. It can also include some photographic imagery to back up your ideas.
Double A3 (over two pages) – Create a moodboard. Your moodboard can include things such as; past and present costume designs, historical garments, particular decorative techniques you think would be appropriate, existing designers work, artist imagery that is relevant to your brief. Your moodboard can also include 3D elements such as wrapped thread, lace, beads etc.
Research into the characters of the play and choose three that you will study further. Create a brief character synopsis for each of the characters you have chosen. The layout is up to you, be conscientious of the presentation of your work however as you are marked on this throughout.
One A3 page per character – use coloured imagery, sketch out areas of interest, discuss the characters flaws and graces.

5. Things to remember…
Buy a decent sketchbook! I can order them in for you if you let me know soon.
Presentation is incredibly important! From the title on your page, to how well you have cut out your imagery. Things must be cut out using a guillotine or from using measured lines to ensure the edges are straight.
Your whole page becomes your canvas – expand imagery using your own sketches, consider the colour and imagery that will appear as the background of your pages, mount images onto card for better presentation. Look online at Fashion & Textiles sketchbooks to be inspired.
Research and collect suitable fabrics, these can appear on your character synopsis pages.
If you can’t draw very well, consider collage, using figure templates, using fabrics instead.

6. Research questions The following list is a research guide:
What is ballet, and how does it affect costume design and construction?
What is the story and how does costume aid the plot and setting?
How does design and types of materials aid the telling of the story? Who are the main characters and how does costume provide information and clues about them?
What practicalities do you need to think about when designing a costume for an opera singer?
How is the costume affected by the time of day, period, season, and mood?
How do your material choices react under stage lighting?

7. Previous Winners The Prize
The winners will be invited to exhibit their work at the Royal Opera House during the schools matinee of La Boheme in With their class, they will watch The Royal Ballet perform and have an exclusive tour of the backstage areas.

8. Costume Design Sketchbook Examples
Look on YouTube and Google for more! Be inspired! Be mindful! Be creative!