The workings of a costume department

Ever wondered how a costume department runs from day to day?Every costume department is different. This can be dependent on various factors such as whether the costume department belongs to a dance company, an arts venue, whether it is held on-site or off-site, and even the sheer extent and variety of costumes they provide. Some costume departments even hire out their contents to other acting or dance companies, meaning that more and more people from the arts get access to sumptuous costumes and a department which seems to go on and on to reveal more and more. The categorisation of a costume department alone is impressive, let alone the costumes the category system is organising! For a drama wardrobe in particular, the sheer extent of the range of clothing they provide is almost incomprehensible. Organised neatly into individual boxes all clearly marked, it is easy to see just how fortunate the arts are to have this kind of luxury at their disposal. Rails and rails of dresses, coats, trousers uniforms, organised by era, and then shelves and shelves of underwear, shoes, hats, and gloves, all in boxes and sorted down to even the colour of the straw hat at times, the wardrobe for many is an unknown world of fantastic discovery and many stories. For example, Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre in particular is home to some treasures. The wardrobe department is home to some grand creations, such as the costume worn by Kenneth Branagh for The Tempest, and an extremely heavy Richard III jacket. Costumes such as these truly epitomise the intense workings of wardrobe departments, and how much work goes on behind the scenes which is rarely considered by the audiences. English National Ballet, as a contrast, holds its tutus, shoes, role specific costumes and Swarovski-crystal encrusted garments off-site, with the company calling on the wardrobe, based in Kent, as and when they need it. ENB costumes are rarely without lashings of Swarovski crystals, with the company generating some impressive statistics from the use of them! Watch this great video taking a look behind the scenes for the ENB's The Nutcracker in association with Swarovski (costume department starts 1:10) http://youtu.be/UNFtBJDnvOs Most wardrobe departments are looking for volunteers, so if you fancy getting involved behind the scenes, check out your local theatre's website.