6 answers
Britt
Student
Panama City Beach, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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How important is it for my degree to align exactly with the field of fashion or costume design when pursuing a career in that industry?
I’m aiming for a career in costume design, particularly within theme parks or theatre. I'm considering pursuing a BA in Graphic Design, supplemented with electives in fashion and photography. Would this interdisciplinary approach be viewed favorably by employers in the field, or would it be more advantageous to prioritize a degree specifically focused on fashion or costume design?
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6 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Britt !
If you want to become a professional Costume Designer, your best bet for the college degree will be Theatre. I'll explain why you will need this degree for theatre, theme parks, film and television. You would be able to obtain work in all media as a Costume Designer.
Everyone that majors in theatre has a discipline that they focus on such as acting, lighting, set design, directing, costuming, etc. The training you'd get through the theatre degree will come the closest to what you'd need to know and what you'd experience out in the career world. Costuming, regardless of the medium, is more than just sewing and designing. It's understanding how the entertainment industry works and what exact part the costumer plays. Also, applying for work as a costumer, your competition will have a degree in a focused area, specifically theatre or an entertainment field. Theatre is the foundation, however, and if you can ace costuming in theatre, you'll know how to do it for the other venues, too.
Theatre will provide you with knowledge and experience you'll need to know. How to collaborate with other designers/costumers, staff and directors, how to read a script and determine the costume design for all the characters, how to understand the blocking/movement of the performers and design according to that, how to manage your assistants, history and period clothing from different eras and how to make costumes for actors portraying animals or mythical characters and how to work with costumes before, during and after performances and working on productions as they happen. Fashion Design is not going to provide you with this needed experience and your Theatre Degree with the emphasis on Costuming will put you in the forefront for work. Employers will want to feel confident that you can be in charge of everything that goes into costuming.
My degree is in Theatre with the emphasis on Acting. I took two costuming courses and had one practicum which consisted of managing costumes for a full length play for which I had two assistants working under me. It was a fun and exciting experience even though that wasn't my specialty, and I learned a lot.
Try not to pre-determine where you'd be working after college - be open to all media and venues. See what is available after you receive your degree. I do hope that you decide on the Theatre Degree because that will prepare you for the projects that you want to do later on, not Fashion Design as that is something totally different. Your employers will want you to have an entertainment degree, not a fashion degree.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best for this exciting career in Costuming !
If you want to become a professional Costume Designer, your best bet for the college degree will be Theatre. I'll explain why you will need this degree for theatre, theme parks, film and television. You would be able to obtain work in all media as a Costume Designer.
Everyone that majors in theatre has a discipline that they focus on such as acting, lighting, set design, directing, costuming, etc. The training you'd get through the theatre degree will come the closest to what you'd need to know and what you'd experience out in the career world. Costuming, regardless of the medium, is more than just sewing and designing. It's understanding how the entertainment industry works and what exact part the costumer plays. Also, applying for work as a costumer, your competition will have a degree in a focused area, specifically theatre or an entertainment field. Theatre is the foundation, however, and if you can ace costuming in theatre, you'll know how to do it for the other venues, too.
Theatre will provide you with knowledge and experience you'll need to know. How to collaborate with other designers/costumers, staff and directors, how to read a script and determine the costume design for all the characters, how to understand the blocking/movement of the performers and design according to that, how to manage your assistants, history and period clothing from different eras and how to make costumes for actors portraying animals or mythical characters and how to work with costumes before, during and after performances and working on productions as they happen. Fashion Design is not going to provide you with this needed experience and your Theatre Degree with the emphasis on Costuming will put you in the forefront for work. Employers will want to feel confident that you can be in charge of everything that goes into costuming.
My degree is in Theatre with the emphasis on Acting. I took two costuming courses and had one practicum which consisted of managing costumes for a full length play for which I had two assistants working under me. It was a fun and exciting experience even though that wasn't my specialty, and I learned a lot.
Try not to pre-determine where you'd be working after college - be open to all media and venues. See what is available after you receive your degree. I do hope that you decide on the Theatre Degree because that will prepare you for the projects that you want to do later on, not Fashion Design as that is something totally different. Your employers will want you to have an entertainment degree, not a fashion degree.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best for this exciting career in Costuming !
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2432
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to hear your passion on fashion and costume design.
Below are my suggestions:
1. Explore the fashion design or relevant subjects in design colleges or vocational schools. There are many prestige design colleges. Find out the entry criteria. Work hard on your academic to meet criteria.
2. Watch more fashion shows and read fashion related magazines
3. Explore any intern opportunities working in famous fashion house
4. Start doing your own design and look for comments
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1. Explore the fashion design or relevant subjects in design colleges or vocational schools. There are many prestige design colleges. Find out the entry criteria. Work hard on your academic to meet criteria.
2. Watch more fashion shows and read fashion related magazines
3. Explore any intern opportunities working in famous fashion house
4. Start doing your own design and look for comments
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Jamie Listino
Retail, HR, Talent Acquisition
5
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
Hi Britt,
Great question! Many creative students wonder about this too. I'm Jamie, and I've spent over 10 years in the fashion industry with a background in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing.
You don't need a degree specifically in fashion or costume design to enter the field. In creative areas like theme parks or theater, employers often look for a diverse portfolio, hands-on experience, and a strong passion for the craft, not just a specific degree.
When applying for internships or entry-level jobs in costume or fashion design, employers will want to see technical skills such as sewing, patternmaking, fabric knowledge, and costume construction. If you choose graphic design, make sure to gain these skills through practical experiences.
Consider:
- Taking sewing or costume design classes, even outside school, like community programs or summer intensives. Highlight these on your resume and in interviews.
- Getting involved in theater productions at your college or in your community.
- Volunteering to assist costume designers to gain real-world experience.
- Creating a portfolio of your design work that shows both creativity and technical skills.
You're doing great by asking this question now. Your curiosity and intentional approach will help you succeed in this creative industry!
Great question! Many creative students wonder about this too. I'm Jamie, and I've spent over 10 years in the fashion industry with a background in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing.
You don't need a degree specifically in fashion or costume design to enter the field. In creative areas like theme parks or theater, employers often look for a diverse portfolio, hands-on experience, and a strong passion for the craft, not just a specific degree.
When applying for internships or entry-level jobs in costume or fashion design, employers will want to see technical skills such as sewing, patternmaking, fabric knowledge, and costume construction. If you choose graphic design, make sure to gain these skills through practical experiences.
Consider:
- Taking sewing or costume design classes, even outside school, like community programs or summer intensives. Highlight these on your resume and in interviews.
- Getting involved in theater productions at your college or in your community.
- Volunteering to assist costume designers to gain real-world experience.
- Creating a portfolio of your design work that shows both creativity and technical skills.
You're doing great by asking this question now. Your curiosity and intentional approach will help you succeed in this creative industry!
Hanya C
Mentor
5
Answers
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Updated
Hanya’s Answer
Great question, and you're thinking about this in exactly the right way! A degree doesn’t have to align perfectly with costume design, especially in creative fields like theme park or theatre work. What matters most is your portfolio, practical skills, and creative voice.
A BA in Graphic Design can absolutely work in your favor, especially if you build strong electives in fashion, photography, or textile arts. Employers value visual storytelling, design thinking, and versatility. If your portfolio shows an understanding of costume, character, and narrative, that will speak louder than the exact title of your degree.
That said, if you get the chance to intern, volunteer, or assist on theatre productions or design projects, take it. Real-world experience in costume environments will make your application stand out even more. So yes, your interdisciplinary approach is valid and can be powerful. Just make sure your work tells the story you want to be hired for.
A BA in Graphic Design can absolutely work in your favor, especially if you build strong electives in fashion, photography, or textile arts. Employers value visual storytelling, design thinking, and versatility. If your portfolio shows an understanding of costume, character, and narrative, that will speak louder than the exact title of your degree.
That said, if you get the chance to intern, volunteer, or assist on theatre productions or design projects, take it. Real-world experience in costume environments will make your application stand out even more. So yes, your interdisciplinary approach is valid and can be powerful. Just make sure your work tells the story you want to be hired for.
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Britt,
It is great to see that you are looking to get into the world of fashion or costume design. Graphic design and fashion design do have overlapping aspects within the design process, as most of design does. If you have an interest in both, consider some things to help you decide which you would prefer to do most, while also making time for the second interest as you gain experience and skills in both topics to your advantage. Photography is something you will also most likely be doing throughout the design process in any subject, and is something you can continue throughout your daily life. Remember that many creatives end up doing something different than what they have studied, so if you can always decide to change majors to something else you prefer more.
Gaining a fashion or costume design can be interchangeable in some ways. You will gain similar skills and, regardless, can tailor your portfolio and your work to an industry that you would prefer to work for. Choose a major you would enjoy doing the most. If you like to be more hands-on, fashion and costume design might be the way to go. If not, graphic design has an infinite amount of possibilities in topics and audiences, as well as motion graphics and User Experience, and Interface.
Which ever degree you would prefer should make you happiest, and know that if you decide to switch, you always can. It is important to practice your creativity in all corners of interest. If you like fashion, start making things you would like, and be resourceful. If you are interested in graphics, start learning about typography and the history of graphic design. Take more pictures of things you like, even if with just your phone. Start to notice all the possibilities of design and follow your instincts on how you want to create. Look into how costumes are made and try making your own. No matter what, always keep making!
Best of luck!
It is great to see that you are looking to get into the world of fashion or costume design. Graphic design and fashion design do have overlapping aspects within the design process, as most of design does. If you have an interest in both, consider some things to help you decide which you would prefer to do most, while also making time for the second interest as you gain experience and skills in both topics to your advantage. Photography is something you will also most likely be doing throughout the design process in any subject, and is something you can continue throughout your daily life. Remember that many creatives end up doing something different than what they have studied, so if you can always decide to change majors to something else you prefer more.
Gaining a fashion or costume design can be interchangeable in some ways. You will gain similar skills and, regardless, can tailor your portfolio and your work to an industry that you would prefer to work for. Choose a major you would enjoy doing the most. If you like to be more hands-on, fashion and costume design might be the way to go. If not, graphic design has an infinite amount of possibilities in topics and audiences, as well as motion graphics and User Experience, and Interface.
Which ever degree you would prefer should make you happiest, and know that if you decide to switch, you always can. It is important to practice your creativity in all corners of interest. If you like fashion, start making things you would like, and be resourceful. If you are interested in graphics, start learning about typography and the history of graphic design. Take more pictures of things you like, even if with just your phone. Start to notice all the possibilities of design and follow your instincts on how you want to create. Look into how costumes are made and try making your own. No matter what, always keep making!
Best of luck!
dana kawano
costume design
1
Answer
Berkeley, California
Updated
dana’s Answer
It is not necessary to have a degree specifically in line with Costume Design. I have been doing Costume Design for over 12 years and have a degree in Business - Information Technology. That being said, if you know you are interested in designing costumes then most definitely use that time to gain as many skills as possible related to that field.
What I have found important is a passion for design, materials (of all types not limited to textiles), great curiosity about how things are constructed, fearlessness to try to build things, 3D visualization, ability to sketch so that you can communicate what you are visualizing, an insatiable appetite to research and learn about the characters you are looking to costume, as well as an ability to embody the character to assist in the development of the stories that that character will carry in the performance.
Academics help by providing the environment for you to develop technical skills, to experiment and possibly make contacts or internships. Gaining a strong base in sewing, pattern making etc I believe are fundamental. Some schools of thought are that proficiency in these skills are not necessary for design, but I have found that knowledge and experience in actually creating is a critical tool in being able to communicate well and particularly if someone else constructs based upon your designs. Since everything is related to technology all skills that you gain using software related to design such as photoshop, illustrator and specific clothing design are particularly beneficial. Having the ability to sketch at minimum is also an essential tool. Words cannot replace the ability for others to see what you are visualizing in your mind.
Theme park costume construction can be much different than theater. Theme park characters (depending upon the character) could require a larger focus on construction that goes beyond sewing. Check out The World of Wearable Art (WOW) show in New Zealand for example.
Theater costumes typically require research based upon the story during a particular period. This will require interest in doing a deep dive into what was worn during a particular period and how you might like to render those costumes true to tradition or not.
It would be helpful to investigate the possibility to work as a wardrobe person if you would like to get a glimpse behind the scenes. Theater organizations can range in professionalism so working at many can provide a broader understanding of the entire industry.
Enjoy your journey of discovery and take note of what resonates with you most positively along the way to construct your dream job.
What I have found important is a passion for design, materials (of all types not limited to textiles), great curiosity about how things are constructed, fearlessness to try to build things, 3D visualization, ability to sketch so that you can communicate what you are visualizing, an insatiable appetite to research and learn about the characters you are looking to costume, as well as an ability to embody the character to assist in the development of the stories that that character will carry in the performance.
Academics help by providing the environment for you to develop technical skills, to experiment and possibly make contacts or internships. Gaining a strong base in sewing, pattern making etc I believe are fundamental. Some schools of thought are that proficiency in these skills are not necessary for design, but I have found that knowledge and experience in actually creating is a critical tool in being able to communicate well and particularly if someone else constructs based upon your designs. Since everything is related to technology all skills that you gain using software related to design such as photoshop, illustrator and specific clothing design are particularly beneficial. Having the ability to sketch at minimum is also an essential tool. Words cannot replace the ability for others to see what you are visualizing in your mind.
Theme park costume construction can be much different than theater. Theme park characters (depending upon the character) could require a larger focus on construction that goes beyond sewing. Check out The World of Wearable Art (WOW) show in New Zealand for example.
Theater costumes typically require research based upon the story during a particular period. This will require interest in doing a deep dive into what was worn during a particular period and how you might like to render those costumes true to tradition or not.
It would be helpful to investigate the possibility to work as a wardrobe person if you would like to get a glimpse behind the scenes. Theater organizations can range in professionalism so working at many can provide a broader understanding of the entire industry.
Enjoy your journey of discovery and take note of what resonates with you most positively along the way to construct your dream job.