COSTUME
The Costume Store contains items ranging from period and contemporary naturalistic costumes to stylised and non-naturalistic attires. Hats, jewellery, and accessories, as well as shoes are also available. Not all costumes are on display in the store. If you require a particular costume email Berthe and she can advise.
Contact Berthe to book an appointment to access the Costume Store. ONLY when Berthe is not on campus, ask one of the technicians for the keys to the store. Keys MUST be returned to the tech office or a member of the tech team immediately after use.
Once the store is open, return the key immediately – you won’t need the key to lock the costume store. Make sure to pull the door closed behind you when you leave.
To reserve costumes hang them on the ‘Reservation’ rail. Tie costumes together if more than one. Label costumes with your full name, programme and year group, dates required.
Before taking costume out, students need to fill the borrowing form with full name, contact (email or phone), programme and year group, date of borrowing and date of return. The form is on the board, on the entrance door of the store.
Costumes borrowed from the store can be left temporarily on the rail in the costume workshop or in a labelled, clear plastic box, in the prop making workshop between rehearsals prior to the assessment. Students must attach and label costumes left on the rail. No permanent alterations (I.e., cutting, paint) are permitted on any costumes from the store. Temporary alterations (i.e., hemming) must be agreed with Berthe prior to proceeding.
When taking costumes off rails and trying them, please put unwanted costumes on the ‘Returns’ rail, rather than placing them back on rails. The ‘Return rail is on the right as you enter the store.
Please place returned costumes on the 'Returns’ rail in the store. Returns don’t need to be labelled.
Do not wash any costumes borrowed.
The Costume Store
Cutting Table: This is the large white table in the centre of the workshop. This table is for conventional sewing making ONLY. No fabric colouring using dye or paint, no gluing, and no wire construction to be carried out in the costume room, and NEVER on the cutting table.
Use the prop room for any fabric colouring, surfacing, gluing or costume construction other than using dressmaking and sewing techniques.
Costume making equipment including scissors, measuring tapes, dressmaking forms etc., must stay in the costume room unless borrowing them for a short period has been agreed with Berthe.
Use dressmaking scissors for fabric only - they are marked 'Fabric only'.
Dressmaking forms: Most dressmaking forms are for sewing only. Ask if you need one for colouring, painting, or gluing a costume project. Some dressmaking forms can be used with protector covering for processes other than sewing.
Sewing Machines: All students must have an induction prior to using sewing machines. Contact Berthe to arrange an induction.
Tidy Up: Put away equipment, clear the cutting table and all surfaces, and clean any mess, before leaving the costume room.
Get in touch with Berthe to discuss a specific project, to use the costume workshop, or for any costume query, i.e., fabric and other costume materials.