Costume Designer

The Costume Designer is the head of department for Costume. Designs the visual concept of every costume on the production, sources or manufactures the pieces, and leads the team from the design phase through the shoot.

What the role does

• Develops the costume concept for the production in collaboration with the director + production designer
• Builds the character look for every named character + background pattern
• Sources or manufactures the costume pieces — designing, commissioning, buying, hiring, building
• Manages fittings with cast
• Leads the on-set + workroom team — Assistant Costume Designer, Costume Supervisor, Standby Costume Assistant, Costume Trainee
• Liaises with Hair Designer and Make-up Designer on character continuity

Position

Reports to the producer + director on creative; reports to Line Producer on budget. Supervises the costume team.

Career progression

SI Competency Framework Level 5 — HoD. Path: Costume Trainee → Standby Costume Assistant → Costume Supervisor → Assistant Costume Designer → Costume Designer.

Working pattern + guild

Freelance, prep + shoot + post. Industry representation via SGI Costume recognition.