Costume Design and Production Short Course
Course description
Course overview
The Costume Design and Production Short Course is designed to guide students through the process of identifying and developing a character costume.
Students build their understanding of how the costume industry works through a combination of lectures, examples and practical exercises. The course offers a valuable insight into the costume department and how it functions within a film production.
Short course students have the opportunity to access specialist facilities and a wide variety of equipment on campus at LCF East Bank. London College of Fashion has been nurturing creative talent for over a century with a philosophy of open and inclusive education.
During the course, students research garments and character scenarios, develop mood boards, sketch, collage and drape to plan the costume they want to create. Students then have the opportunity to cut and construct their costume concept with guidance from the tutor.
Students are encouraged to spend time outside of class to develop their work. Plenty of guidance will be provided, but the final costume completion will depend on a degree of homework and self-direction outside of course hours.
Who this course is for
This exciting short course is aimed at creative and practical individuals with an interest in understanding how the costume industry for film functions.
The course would be best suited for those who have an intermediate level of experience in researching visual concepts, draping and pattern cutting. Some experience of using a sewing machine will also be necessary.
Key information
Topics covered
- Basic overview of how a costume department functions during a film production
- Researching and storyboarding costume based on cultural and visual references
- Conceptualising/designing and communicating of ideas
- Introduction to draping and cutting costume
- A greater understanding of skills and techniques required to construct a costume
Learning outcomes
- Identify a character based within a film scene scenario
- Understand how various techniques are used to conceptualise, design, develop and create costume for film
- Have a greater understanding of the costume industry and how it functions
- Have the practical knowledge to enable a costume to be constructed (the level at which a physical costume will be completed will depend on the complexity and individual's application to the task)
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance.
Materials
Session 1 we will mainly be discussing processes and looking at examples/case studies. Students will then need to bring the following materials to further classes:
- Research equipment, laptop/tablet, relevant books and magazines
- Preferred art/drawing/collaging supplies e.g. pencils, markers, black note/drawing pens, paints, drawing paper, colour paper - these will be discussed in prior class
- Preferred or relevant toiling/draping materials, scissors and pins
- Pattern making equipment, cutting mat (this can be as small as A3 but preferably bigger) set square, large paper scissors, fabric scissors, tracing wheel, awl, tape measure, pattern drill, scotch invisible tape, tracing carbon paper
- Optional extras include pattern notchers, flexicurve, french curves, rotary cutter, and Shoben tape
Tutor
Philip Mauger
With extensive experience in luxury fashion houses, Philip brings specialist knowledge and skill to the courses he conducts.
In 2005, during an MA in Womenswear at CSM, Philip began cutting for Vivienne Westwood's special clients, moving rapidly onto her specialist tailoring and Gold label show collections. Later moving to Lanvin in Paris to assist Alber Elbaz as a runway designer, Philip became responsible for some of the most identifiable silhouettes during its 2009-2011 collections. Philip followed this with further design and consultancy roles at McQueen, Paul Smith and Akris in Switzerland. Philip headed up Womenswear Design at Nicole Farhi during 2011-12 and became a Runway Womenswear Designer/Design Atelier Director at Burberry 2017-2020.
Throughout his fashion career, Philip has also worked extensively in film, developing/cutting costumes for productions ranging from Star Wars, James Bond and Into the Woods, to more recent Warner Bros/Marvel productions and series such as Captain Marvel and Loki. Philip currently develops costumes for contemporary and period productions.
Always involved in education, as a CSM alumni, Philip continues to tutor on the CSM short courses schedule. Philip has also tutored final years at Instituto Marangoni, conducted pattern cutting/folio design and design development classes at LCF and guest lectured at The Royal Collage for final year MA students.
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