Overview of the role
Costume assistants work for costume designers or supervisors. The types of outfits they help with depends on the type of production they are working on. They could be assisting a designer or helping with the hire of costumes for a studio show; they might be purchasing clothes and accessories for a presenter or steaming clothes for an expert on location. In these cases, they might be known as stylist assistants working for stylists.
On most productions this is an entry-level role, although on bigger budget or more complex shows assistants will have a little more experience and be given more responsibility for key on-screen appearances. Costume assistants are usually freelance and will often be requested by designers or stylists they’ve worked well with before.
Core responsibilities
These core responsibilities are provided as a guide and are not exhaustive. The exact responsibilities in a particular job will vary depending on the scale / budget band / genre of production.
- Assist the designer where required
- Source and purchase clothes, accessories and materials
- Hire costumes if needed
- Log and store all items appropriately
- If fittings or rehearsals are taking place ensure outfits are ready in time and adjusted accordingly
- Check all outfits are ready on-set and/or liaise with production to ensure that talent and contestants turn up in appropriate clothing
- Be on set or location to adjust and maintain outfits, taking continuity requirements into account
- Run errands as needed
- Liaise and collaborate with hair and make-up to ensure a coherent ‘look’ is created for any contributors featuring in the programme
- Liaise and collaborate with studio and technical staff, for example, sound when putting on and removing mics
- On completion of filming assist with cleaning, repairs and returns
Skills
Check out role specific skills, transferable skills and attributes for the role of costume assistant.
- Dressmaking and tailoring: be able to draw, sew, make, alter and maintain clothes and accessories, prepare outfits to look faultless on-screen
- Styling: understand the designer or stylist’s vision for a show, know what styles suit different people best and create the right looks with flair and creativity
- Attention to detail: spot and deal with any design or styling flaws or issues during filming, keep the department organised and tidy
- Knowledge of design: have a passion for fashion, the history of design and costume, and understanding of colour, lighting, pattern and texture, and know where to source fabrics, accessories and outfits
- Relationships: work well with others, listen and respond to the needs of stylists, presenters and contributors. Be trusted and have good relationships with designers, PR and brands who may supply clothing or accessories
- Communication: interpreting others’ requirements and communicating the costume department’s requirements clearly to contributors, talent, crew and colleagues
- Teamworking: collaboration within own and other departments such as sound, hair and make-up and props
- Problem-solving: flexibility to resolve costume related issues while shooting
- Organisation: ability to remain calm, know what is happening when and adjust plans at the last minute
- Resilience and enthusiasm: adapt positively to changing work priorities and patterns, ensuring deadlines continue to be met. Be helpful and assist staff and contributors wherever possible
- Ethics and integrity: honest and principled in all of their actions and interactions. Respectful and inclusive of others and meets the ethical requirements of their profession
- Flexibility: willing to both listen and learn and to accept changing priorities and working requirements, and has the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing production environment
- Professional development: develop and maintain an attitude of learning on every job and seeking out networking opportunities