Introduction


Though fashion designing is now a day gaining muchattention, importance and preference, one more profession which is more relatedto fashion designing and having a vast scope but not that much gained attentionand preference is "Costume Designing".


The success of any movie or drama serial also depends on thecharacters costume but the audiences are mainly interested only to know aboutthe actor, director, musician, lyricist, chromatographer or choreographer buthardly anybody interested in to know about the costume designer.


The dynamic growth of entertainment media -Television, Cinema,and technology etc., has lead to budding of number of TV channels and making ofincreased number of movies either nationally or regionally. The TV channels haveto come up with more number of drama serials, programmes, shows in order toattract more number of viewers. Every channel whether it is a kid channel,sports channel, news channel or commercial, all have various programmes,specialty shows, drama serials. all need a Right Costume rather to say agood costume.


Costume Designing


Costume designing is an art of designing or choosing orprocuring a suitable/right costume-from dresses to accessories-to acharacter/presenter in a play or movie or show.


An improper or wrong costume may lead to the vagueness inthe play or movie or show. So to take care of the right costume for the play ormovie or show, the responsibility is given to a separate person who is known asCostume designer. So every play or movie or show needs a costume designer. Itis a challenging, interesting and cautious job which requires much more skillswhen comparing to fashion designing. Though costume designing is much relatedto fashion designing most of the fashion designing students are not much awareof the profession of costume designing and the scope it provides. Now, costumedesigning is mostly done by famous fashion designers or by the person who hasgained experience in this profession but very few qualified fashion designers docostume designing.


Costume Designing Vs Fashion Designing


Sr. No

Costume Designing

Fashion Designing

1

Designing is done to the character or story

Designing is done to ones own creativity and tastes or to customers

2

More challenging and limited time frame

Not much challenging and no limitation for time

3

Limitations to creativeness;

No limitations to creativeness

4

Designs should match to the theme of the story or character

Designs should match to the trends.

5

Need for the knowledge of culture, history, places, rituals, social values etc.,

Not compulsory but it is an additional advantage.

6

Involves high cost

Not much cost oriented

7

Limited assignment at a particular time

No limitations; Depends on the capability of fashion designer

8

At a given time need to design for various role, characters, situations/locations etc.,

Designing is done to a particular target customers.

9

Designs can be outsourced and copied

Designs should be ones own creativity.

10

Need to interact with many people

Not that much interaction is needed


 

Importance of costume designing:


Costume is one of the main element and basic platform for a play or movie or show. The success of a play or movie or show is also mainly depends on well-balanced and matching costume. Costume is not about richness, goodness or something but it is about the right and suitable costume. It should reflect the real life situation and should match to the character or story. It should attract the audience and create interest. The rhythm should be maintained in the costumes of all characters in the play or movie or show. Costume design plays an important role in movie songs. Here the costume designer has more freedom in his/her creativeness depends on the nature of the song. An unmatched, improper or poor costume will create less interest, boredom, vagueness etc., among the audience. Sometimes a well attracted costume may become a fashion or trendsetter and this has happened many times not only in India but also in many other countries.


Scope of costume designing:


Costume designing has very huge scope in the following areas:

  • Movie Industry
  • TV shows and programmes
  • Drama serials
  • Live shows
  • Advertising industry


As mentioned earlier, the dynamic growth of television media, cine media, technology etc., has lead to budding of more number of TV channels and making of increased number of movies either nationally or regionally, consequently this creates the platform for more number of programmes, shows, drama serials and also more number of advertising. Advertising whether it is in tele-media or printed media need costumes, so there is a good scope for costume designing in advertising industry also.


The challenges:


Costume designing is a challenging and target oriented profession. It consists of different level of challenges.


  1. The time for costume designing is limited. Need to be finished within the prescribed time.
  2. It may involve more number of costumes depends on the nature of story or play-many artists/ characters, many scenes, many songs etc.,
  3. Besides more number it may also include different varied sizes.
  4. The need for the knowledge of different cultures, races, religion, history, places, rituals, beliefs, values etc.,
  5. As there is a need to interact with many people in costume designing, the knowledge about the psychology of people is much needed.
  6. Sourcing of raw materials and accessories for different type of costumes.
  7. Need to keep the spare costume or excess quantity of costume as it may be needed.
  8. The costumes should be maintained properly and enough care should be taken till to the required time.
  9. The costumes should be made available at the right time.
  10. It is required to work under high pressure and volatile environment.


Functions of a costume designer:


The various functions of a costume designer are as follows:


  1. Discussing and understanding the story clearly and its related information like location, characters, actors, time etc.,
  2. Planning the total costumes required-total actors, no. of costume per actors, extra quantity etc.,
  3. Preparing the budgets for costumes.
  4. Designing the costumes using themes, designs, colour, fabric etc.,
  5. Getting approvals for the costumes.
  6. Sourcing of raw materials, accessories etc., for the costumes.
  7. Selection of suppliers and vendors for making the costumes.
  8. Negotiation for various terms and condition.
  9. Making follow up and procuring the costumes.
  1. Making availability of costumes at the right time.
  2. Storing and caring of costumes.
  3. Communication and co ordination with various levels of people.


Requirements of a costume designer:


A good costume designer should possess the following qualities or attributes:


  1. Should have a keen interest and passion for fashion.
  2. Fashion designing skills relate to principles of fashion designing.
  3. Good knowledge about textiles, garments, accessories and related things.
  4. Good knowledge of various cultures, religion, races, history, places, rituals, beliefs, values etc.,
  5. Knowledge of latest trends in designs, colours, fabrics etc.,
  6. Sourcing and negotiation skills.
  7. Good planner and analyzer.
  8. Communication and leadership skills
  9. Strong mental attitude and ability to work under pressure.
  10. Forecasting skills.


Conclusion:


Costume designing can be regarded as one of the oldest profession since ancient days, particularly in India. Our history tells about various epics and plays which were played in ancient days and those things always been a part of our life. But, unfortunately this profession is not much known or preferred by the qualified persons. The growth of entertainment media will provide huge scope for the costume designing and it requires good costume designers who are well qualified and interested one. The amateur fashion designers should try to make use of these opportunities. This profession gives platform to work with various levels of people-from celebrities to technicians-so that one can have good social contact which further provides a good career growth like becoming a famous fashion designer.


About the Author


The author is Lecturer in Dept. of Apparel Merchandising and Management, NIFT-TEA College of Knitwear Fashion, Tirupur