How to Become Costume Designer: Career Guide, Courses, Job Profiles, Salary, Scope

Quick Facts for How To Become A Costume Designer?

What does a Costume Designer do?

Costume designing can be a glamorous path, with exposure to the glamour world along with lucrative compensation but with fierce competition.The Indian Fashion Industry is changing and growing at a rapid pace with the role a costume designer playing a dominant role as evident from India Fashion Week, Lakme Fashion Week etc gaining prominence in multiple cities of India and abroad.

• A creative mind, the ability to cope up with the latest fashion trends and long hours of work can bring a rewarding career in this field with salary being not a constraint for the right candidate.
• The primary responsibility of a costume designer is creativity in designing clothings, accessories etc. This skill pays reward in the long run as these individuals can start their own business, apply new ideas, and design artwork as per their choice.
• A career in costume designing is dynamic and inviting applicants having an inclination of creative something innovative, individuals having a proper eye for fashion and with a creative mind find this career as fun and satisfying.It is always fun to create something unique which has never been created by somebody else.

Step to Follow to Become a Costume Designer

Production houses or fashion houses look for candidates having formal education in fashion, apparel or costume design. The following states a generalised step by step guide to become a Costume Designer.

Decision Making

Before opting for Costume designing as a career option, it is essential to do some groundwork.Extensive research is to be done to choose relevant subjects to study at 12th, bachelors and masters level. This should be coupled with the possibility of job prospects in various sectors along with pay scale availability.

Though costume designing as a career option is off the track as compared to other conventional career option, but exposure to the glamour industry, gaining acceptance among notable personalities and among the public along with a lucrative compensation package invites many young fellows in this profession. A well informed decision along with passion for creative work helps excel in this industry.

Subject Choices

Though no formal education is required for pursuing a career in costume designing, a bachelor's degree or master's degree or at least a diploma in apparel, costume or fashion designing is recommended. 

Individuals can be from any stream at class 12th but students from science stream are given preference as these individuals have better observational skills and critical thinking capability compared to the commerce or arts individuals. 

A candidate can pursue a bachelor's degree in costume, apparel or fashion design. Diploma in Apparel, Costume or Fashion Design can also be pursued for a costume designer career. Many Indian and foreign universities offer postgraduate courses in apparel and fashion designing.

Entrance Examination Preparation

Entrance examination scores are required for admission into most of bachelors program in design.Most of the popular design institutes namely NIFT,Army Institute of Fashion Design, (Footwear Design and Development Institute) look for scores of entrance examinations like AIEED (All India Entrance Exam for Design), NIFT Entrance Exam, NID Entrance Exam for admission into bachelors program.Thus it is advisable to start preparing for such competitive examinations right after class 12th since every year lakhs of students appear for such entrances and limited seats are available in top colleges. 

The foremost important thing to be taken care of before preparing for such examination is getting oneself acquainted with the syllabus and exam pattern. Many coaching institutes offer extensive training and conduct mock tests for making students well prepared for such examination.

Selecting Correct Colleges

Most premier design institutes offer varied courses in costume or fashion designing.Selecting the right college for pursuing such courses require extensive research on ranking of the college, placement opportunity, faculty strength and quality, internships and training.

Successful students in the entrance examinations who have high scores must aim for the premier institutes along with government colleges where placements are assured, faculties are academically qualified and have relevant experience of teaching in this field along with the right college infrastructure.

Students also aim for institutes where internships are offered with fashion brands, retail outlets etc. for gaining industry exposure.Some institutes have tie up with many national and international fashion brands where students gain industry expertise.

After Qualifying Exam

As admission in most of the premier institutes requires a score of common entrance examination or individual examination conducted by individual institutes, it is mandatory to qualify in such examinations. In addition to that, individuals must also satisfy college cut off to qualify for the next round.

Some colleges also conduct group discussion and personal interview as part of elimination round.Many coaching institutes offer specialized courses on group discussion and interview preparation. Successful candidates may register in such training courses and make themselves interview ready.

It is advisable to all successful candidates to keep a regular eye on the various institutes website for publishing cut off marks for admission and any other admission related information.

Types of Costume Designer

Costume designers are not only involved in envisioning and creating outfits worn in movies, TV shows, fashion shows but also involved in designing accessories and shoes.The various roles played by a costume designer are listed as follows.

Accessory Designer

As the name implies, an accessory enhances the beauty of a costume and thus the primary job of an accessory designer is to conceptualize, design and create a range of products like jewellery pieces, handbags, accessories, footwear etc to enhance the look and feel of fashion costumes and images.

The leather jacket over that sleeveless top completes the overall beauty of that dress, or that scarf over that round necked top makes one feel elegant yet stylish and there lies the real skill of an accessory designer who adds the last minute touch to a fashion apparel .

The Average starting salary of an accessory designer is INR 4.5 LPA.

Jewellery Designer

These professionals are involved in creating elegant intricate pieces of wearable art using varied metal elements.

Average starting salary of an accessory designer is INR 2.0 LPA.

Footwear/Shoe Designer

These professionals design creative fashionable shoes and other footwear which can range from high street fashion shoes to sports shoes, to kids shoes to catwalk shoes to enhance the beauty and elegance of a costume designed exclusively for fashion shows or TV shows etc. 

A model with red pencil heels was drawing the spot of last night's fashion show. Just a pair of shoes can create wonders and gain prominence and publicity and there lies the real skill of a footwear designer, who designs shoes, fashion chappals etc to give the extra edge to a costume. 

The Average starting salary of an accessory designer is INR 1.5 LPA.

Leather Accessory Designer

Leather accessories add extra elegance and beauty to a costume either in the form of jackets or shoes or belts.Leather accessory designers are solely responsible to design and create such leather products to add the finishing touch to a costume. 

The carefully crafted leather jacket speaks so much about the costume, even with minimal makeup accessories with elegant leather jacket draws all the attention.A beautifully crafted leather jacket over a maxi dress not only enhances the beauty of the dress but also make them feel slim and attractive and the whole credit goes to a leather accessory designer who spends sleepless nights designing such accessories to enhance the beauty of a costume. 

The Average starting salary of a leather accessory designer is INR 1.8- 2.0 LPA.

Men’s Accessories/ Costume Designer

Men’s fashion statement is incomplete without a stylist headwear or neckwear or bracelets or simply a scarf. And men’s accessories for costume designers deal with designing the right headwear, or bracelet or neckwear for the next men’s fashion week. These professionals always stay updated with the latest fashion trends and implement the same in the form of neckwear or headwear exclusively for men as men are mostly deprived of accessories.

A carefully crafted hat over a short shirt and trouser, makes a man feel young yet a stylist.These professionals spend long hours designing such elegant and stylish accessories for men to give them a smart look and not a feminine look.

The average pay for this role is INR 3 LPA.

Fashion Designer

A fashion designer is engaged in designing not only the apparels for a fashion show, or TV series or movies, they are engaged in conceptualization and design of footwear, jewellery and other accessories to make the concept successful and acceptable to the public. These professionals are always updated on the latest trends in the fashion industry and try to incorporate that through costumes, costume jewellery and other accessories.

Devising new ideas in costumes, jewellery, footwear irrespective of gender, body type, complexion etc is the primary duty of a fashion designer.Fashion designers also need to be tech savvy and update themselves with technology revolution to suit customer demands.

The average pay for this role is INR 5 LPA.

How to Become a Costume Designer in India?

Literally a career in costume designing does not require any formal education but it is always recommended to have either a bachelors or post graduate degree or diploma in apparel, costume or fashion design to excel as a costume designer in India.Many colleges even offer MFA program in fashion merchandising, or fashion design.

A brief description of how to prepare to become a Costume Designer is done below.

School Level Preparation

• At the school level, it is not mandatory to have specific subject combination or stream to pursue career in costume designing
• Though no specific stream is desirable to take up a course in costume designing, still the course is suitable for candidates from Science stream who have an analytical and creative mind and curiosity to explore the unknown.
• Attention to detail, growing analytical skill, good in measurements are the top skills expected in school level preparation

How to Become a Costume Designer after the 12th?

After completing school, willing candidates can pursue a bachelors degree followed by post graduate degree in apparel, costume or fashion designing, Some students go for diploma program in apparel designing which are usually of one year duration. Full-time degree programmes are taught over 3 to 4 years. Elaborated below is how to prepare for a PG and UG course.

UG Preparation

• At the undergraduate level, B.Des in fashion design or B.Sc in costume and fashion design can be pursued.
• Applicants must score at least 50% aggregate score at class 12th level.
• Take a national or institute level entrance test to gain admission in reputed colleges
• Since most entrance exams gauge english, aptitude and general knowledge skill of an applicant, try to improve skill in these domains.
• Study hard during 10+2 and score well as few Indian fashion institutes provide direct admission based on marks in the last qualifying examination

PG Preparation

• For postgraduate courses, a bachelor's degree in the same field is required.
• Degrees offered at PG level are M.Des in Fashion Design, M.A. in Costume Design , M.Sc in Costume Design & Fashion etc
• A minimum aggregate score of 55% is necessary.
• Admissions are mostly based on merit with few institutes offering admission based on performance in the entrance examination conducted by individual institutes.
• Study hard during graduation and score well as few Indian fashion institutes provide direct admission based on marks in the last qualifying examination
• Improve bases in core subjects of fashion designing as these help to excel in this field in the long run.

How to Become a Costume Designer Abroad?

UK

To start a career in costume designing in the United Kingdom, individuals need an HND, degree or postgraduate qualification in relevant discipline namely costume design, fashion, theatre design or performing arts.

Some of the most popular courses on costume designing are Fashion Design BA (Hons), MA Fashion, Fashion Marketing (With Professional Experience) MA etc.

• The duration of the courses ranges from 3 years to 1 year.
• Applications are to be submitted online.
• The average course fee is between INR 15 to INR 20.0 lakhs.

Admission Process

• Admissions for undergraduate programs are done through UCAS portal while admission for master degree courses is done through the university website.
• Willing candidates must create a profile in respective website for application process
• Fill the application form with relevant details along with uploading of relevant documents in the website
• Most UK universities prefer TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English Assessment Test as yardstick for English proficiency test for final admission.
• Universities also give weightage to candidates having letter of recommendation and work experience for admission
• Make necessary payment of application fee and proceed for final submission of application form.
• Shortlisted candidates are called either through phone or email for group discussion and personal interview.
• Successful candidates in the previous round are called for final admission.

Top Colleges

USA

In the USA, both undergraduate and postgraduate programs are available on costume design or fashion and textile management.

• Most US universities prefer TOEFL score as a standard for English proficiency test for International candidates
• Duration of a bachelors course is usually 3 years while masters courses are of 2 years duration.
• Few universities offer PhD in Apparel, Merchandising Design with duration being 4 years with course fee around INR 22.0 lakhs.
• The course fee is between INR 15.0 to INR 35.0 lakhs.

Admission Process

• For admission into undergraduate programs, candidates must apply through the Common Application portal while for admission into masters courses, candidates must apply through university websites as per choice.
• Create a profile in the website and log in for application process
• Fill the application form with relevant details along with scores of English proficiency test scores like TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, GMAT, GRE etc.
• This should be accompanied by a letter of recommendation and work experience if any along with uploading of supporting documents.
• Final submission of application form is done by paying requisite application fee.
• Shortlisted candidates are called either through phone or email for group discussion and personal interview.
• Successful candidates in the previous round are called for final admission.

Top Colleges

Canada

• Canadian universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in clothing design or exhibit design, theatre design
• The duration of the courses span from 3 years to 2 years for the full-time degree programme.
• Preference is given to candidates having prior work experience of working in art school program in theatre design, clothing design or exhibit design
• Candidates must be conversant with working with CAD design software.
• Admission is done through the university websites.
• International students must be fluent in either English or French.

Admission Process

• Both for undergraduate and postgraduate programs, candidates must apply through the official website of the institute.
• Create a profile and log in to start the application process
• Fill the application with relevant details along with scores of English proficiency tests namely IELTS, TOEFL , PTE etc. Test d'Évaluation de Français, Test de Connaissance du Français, Test de français are few of the French accepted tests.
• This should be accompanied with uploading of relevant personal and educational documents
• Make final submission of application by making payment of application fee.
• Candidates desirous of availing scholarship must submit financial proof.
• Shortlisted candidates are called either through phone or email for group discussion and personal interview,
• Successful candidates in the previous round are called for final admission.

Top Colleges

Australia

Australia offers a bachelors program along with vocational training in fashion design namely Certificate III in Design Fundamentals or Certificate III in Clothing and Textile Production.

• International applicants must submit one English fluency test score. Accepted tests are IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, PTE Academic, OET etc.
• Though big production houses or textile factories look for candidates having prior work experience of working under senior designer or creative director, it is recommended to complete a masters program in fashion viz. Master of Fashion (Entrepreneurship).
• The average course fee ranges between INR 12.0 to INR 25.0 lakhs.

Admission Process

• For admission into undergraduate , post graduate or diploma courses, it is mandatory to register on the official website of the institute of choice.
• Register using an active email id and phone number.
• Log in and start applying. Fill up the application form.
• Upload personal and educational documents in the portal along with scores of English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, PTE Academic, OET etc.
• This should be accompanied by a letter of recommendation and work experience if any.
• Final application form submission is done by making payment of requisite application fee.
• Shortlisted candidates are called either through phone or email for group discussion and personal interview,
• Successful candidates in the previous round are called for final admission.

Top Colleges

Benefits of Career as a Costume Designer

The world of Costume Designing is dynamic and demanding, requiring hard work and a passion for creativity. The initial years of struggle can turn into a lucrative career in the long run.Some of such benefits are as follows.

Salary

Compared to the hard work, dedication, long hours of work and ever changing demand of clients can be intimidating in the initial phase of the career with meagre salary package but years of experience in this field can bring reputation and lucrative income with the salary of a mid level career experienced individual may earn upto INR 15,00,000 with sky being the limit for seasoned professionals who can put a lasting impression in the minds of public.

Job Satisfaction

It always brings peace of mind when a Costume Designer finds his work is in the latest trend with celebrities, models and even common people.It brings ultimate job satisfaction when candidates find other celebrities wearing their creation and giving them compliments.The ultimate satisfaction when people from the same community enquire about that secret which they can apply to make themself stand out in the crowd is incomparable.

Starting one’s Own Business

Most fashion designers who have a zeal to create something new and unique and to work independently, start their own business may be in the form of a small shop or a boutique and create new fashion statements in the form of apparel or jewellery or may be in the form of shoes. This may start with a small shop selling unique clothing or accessories, this may turn into a big business with hard work and dedication.

Fun and Creative

The satisfaction of creating something new, elegant and draws public attention is beyond the ambit of money but the inspiration for the next creation.Creation can be in the form of apparel or shoes or jewellery or that new colour or shape given to an existing dress material or jewellery can have a lasting impression in the mind of the buyer.

Travelling

Since clients in the fashion industry can reside in any corner of the world, there is a lot of scope to travel to various places of the world to meet prospective clients and know their requirements. In addition, those having their independent business in costume designing, can open their boutiques or shops at various places of the world to enhance their business. 

Variety in Work Place

In the fashion industry every project is different and unique compared to others which requires a lot of creativity and ability to come up with new ideas leading to new designs as end product. Fashion trends are always dynamic and these change primarily due to the ever changing demands of the customers and thus the life of a costume designer can never be dull and boring, they are always involved in devising new fashion signatures to satisfy the clients need.

Meeting New and Different People

The primary job of a Costume Designer is to meet prospective clients from different locations of the world who have varied tastes and requirement.Exposure to such clients give more opportunity for exposure to different people, know their needs and create a form of art as per their choice. This helps in the long run to excel as a successful fashion designer in the showbiz world. A skilled costume designer must have the right eye and perseverance to gauge the client requirement and deliver the final product accordingly.

Skills Required to Become a Costume Designer

The primary skill of a costume designer is a creative mind and an acumen to design and create different forms of art in the form of costume, apparel and accessories.Costume Designers must have skills to stand out in the market and attract more clients. 

The table lists skills employers look for in budding Costume Designers.

Salary of Costume Designer in India

Salaries of Costume Designers can range from INR 3.5 to INR 20 LPA. This variance in salary is guided by many factors like job profile, years of work experience, city, gender etc. All salaries have been tabulated below.

City Wise

Gender Wise Salary

Experience Wise

Industry Wise