Costume Designer Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Costume Designer Resume examples

Ever wondered who's responsible for transforming actors into believable characters before they even utter a line? Costume designers are the visual storytellers who bring characters to life through fabric, texture, and style. Working behind the scenes in film, theater, dance, and television, these creative professionals blend historical research, artistic vision, and practical problem-solving to create wardrobes that communicate volumes about characters and their worlds. The field has evolved dramatically in recent years, with sustainability becoming a major focus—nearly 43% of production companies now have explicit green initiatives that directly impact costume departments.

Today's costume designers aren't just sketching period dresses; they're collaborating with VFX teams on virtual clothing for digital characters, sourcing eco-friendly materials, and using 3D modeling software to test designs before cutting fabric. The rise of streaming platforms has created a boom in content production, opening doors for designers with fresh perspectives and diverse backgrounds. As immersive entertainment continues to blur the lines between physical and digital experiences, tomorrow's costume designers will likely find themselves working across increasingly hybrid mediums—crafting wearable art that exists in both tangible and virtual spaces.

Junior Costume Designer Resume Example

MAYA BENNETT

Brooklyn, NY 11217 • (917) 555-4281 • mbennett.costumes@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/mayabennett • www.mayabennettdesign.com

Recent BFA graduate with hands-on costume design experience in theater and independent film. Combining strong technical sewing skills with creative vision to bring characters to life. Experienced in period research, rendering, and wardrobe maintenance. Quick problem-solver who thrives in fast-paced production environments.

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Costume Designer – Greenpoint Theater Collective, Brooklyn, NY
January 2023 – Present

  • Support lead designer on 4 productions including “The Glass Menagerie” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
  • Manage costume fittings for cast members, documenting measurements and alteration needs
  • Create and maintain detailed costume plots and quick-change schedules
  • Sourced vintage pieces for 1940s-era production, coming in $327 under budget
  • Supervise 2 costume interns during production runs

Wardrobe Assistant – “The Crossing” Independent Film, New York, NY
September – November 2022

  • Maintained continuity across 16 shooting days in multiple locations
  • Performed emergency repairs and alterations on set
  • Organized and tracked costume inventory for 23 speaking roles
  • Assisted with breakdown techniques to age and distress contemporary clothing

Costume Shop Intern – Riverside Shakespeare Company, New York, NY
May – August 2022

  • Constructed costume pieces from scratch, including doublets and corsets
  • Pulled items from stock and assisted with fittings during pre-production
  • Created digital renderings using Photoshop to present to director
  • Helped manage quick changes during performances of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

Costume Design Assistant (Student Production) – Tisch School of the Arts, NYU
January – April 2021

  • Collaborated with student director to develop character-appropriate costumes for “Waiting for Godot”
  • Produced hand-drawn sketches and mood boards for approval
  • Managed a budget of $750 for a cast of 5 performers

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Costume Design, 2022
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University
Relevant Coursework: History of Fashion, Costume Construction, Pattern Making, Textile Studies

Certificate in Period Costume Construction, 2021
Summer Intensive, Stella Adler Studio of Acting

SKILLS

  • Hand & machine sewing
  • Pattern drafting & draping
  • Costume rendering (digital & hand)
  • Period research
  • Wardrobe maintenance
  • Textile dyeing & distressing
  • Millinery basics
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Garment fitting & alteration
  • Costume breakdown techniques

ADDITIONAL

Portfolio available at www.mayabennettdesign.com
Member, United Scenic Artists Local 829 (Apprentice)
Volunteer, Broadway Cares Costume Donation Program

Mid-level Costume Designer Resume Example

Mia Grayson

Brooklyn, NY | (718) 555-4296 | miagrayson@emaildomain.com | linkedin.com/in/miagrayson

Costume designer with 5+ years crafting visual narratives through authentic character wardrobes. Known for historical accuracy and innovative solutions on tight budgets. Experience spans independent films, off-Broadway productions, and streaming series. Skilled at translating directors’ visions while maintaining practical functionality for performers.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Lead Costume Designer | Horizon Productions | New York, NY | March 2021 – Present

  • Design and execute complete costume concepts for 4-6 theatrical productions annually, managing budgets ranging from $12,000 to $47,500
  • Lead a team of 3 assistants through the entire costume process from concept boards to final fittings
  • Created period-accurate 1920s wardrobes for “Midnight at the Savoy” that received critical praise in The Village Voice
  • Salvaged a production after water damage destroyed key costume pieces 48 hours before opening night by sourcing emergency alternatives and coordinating overnight alterations
  • Maintain detailed costume bibles for each production, including sourcing information, alteration records, and care instructions

Assistant Costume Designer | RiverStone Media | New York, NY | June 2019 – February 2021

  • Supported the design of costumes for 3 streaming series, including the Emmy-nominated “Westward Bound”
  • Managed a $22,000 monthly budget for costume maintenance, alterations, and replacements
  • Conducted research to ensure historical accuracy for period pieces, building comprehensive reference libraries
  • Collaborated with makeup and hair departments to create cohesive character looks
  • Developed relationships with 17+ vintage shops and costume rental houses across NYC

Costume Design Intern | Parkside Theater Company | Brooklyn, NY | September 2018 – May 2019

  • Assisted with fittings, alterations, and quick-changes for 8 productions
  • Organized and cataloged the theater’s 1,200+ piece costume inventory using custom tracking system
  • Created detailed costume plots and tracking sheets for stage management
  • Sourced affordable materials for custom pieces, coming in 14% under budget

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Costume Design | Parsons School of Design | New York, NY | 2018

Certificate in Historical Garment Construction | Fashion Institute of Technology | 2020

SKILLS

  • Period costume research & authenticity
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Hand & machine sewing techniques
  • Pattern drafting & modification
  • Costume breakdown & aging techniques
  • Budget management & tracking
  • Fabric sourcing & knowledge
  • Wig styling & maintenance
  • Costume plot creation
  • Quick-change choreography

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Professional Memberships: Costume Designers Guild, United Scenic Artists Local 829

Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)

Portfolio: miagraysondesign.com

Senior / Experienced Costume Designer Resume Example

MIRANDA JENKINS

Los Angeles, CA • (323) 555-8174 • mirandajenkins@email.com
www.linkedin.com/in/mirandajenkins • www.mirandajenkinsdesign.com

Versatile Costume Designer with 9+ years crafting character through garments for film, television, and theater. Known for historical accuracy, creative problem-solving, and managing large-scale productions with tight deadlines. Skilled collaborator who excels at translating directors’ visions while staying within budget constraints. Emmy-nominated for work on “The Gilded Hour” (HBO, 2021).

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Lead Costume Designer – Paramount Television Studios, Los Angeles, CA
January 2020 – Present

  • Oversee costume design for 3-4 concurrent productions with budgets ranging from $175K to $2.3M
  • Manage team of 12 (assistant designers, shoppers, stitchers) while maintaining production schedules
  • Created 78 unique period costumes for Emmy-nominated limited series “The Gilded Hour”
  • Established digital asset management system that cut sourcing time by 31% across department
  • Collaborate with directors, DPs, and production designers to ensure visual cohesion across projects
  • Negotiate with vendors and rental houses to maximize budget efficiency (saved $87K in 2022)

Costume Designer – FX Networks, Los Angeles, CA
March 2017 – December 2019

  • Designed costumes for “Westward” (S1-3), creating authentic 1880s wardrobe for 35+ characters
  • Researched, sketched, and executed over 150 custom period pieces while managing $650K budget
  • Supervised fitting sessions with principal cast and background talent (up to 75 people daily)
  • Developed breakdown processes for aging/distressing garments that became department standard
  • Coordinated with makeup and hair departments to ensure cohesive character presentation

Assistant Costume Designer – Various Productions, New York, NY
September 2014 – February 2017

  • Supported lead designers on 6 Broadway productions and 3 independent films
  • Managed costume fittings, alterations, and quick-change logistics for cast members
  • Created detailed costume plots and tracking documents for shows with 200+ costume changes
  • Sourced specialty materials and vintage pieces within tight budget constraints
  • Stepped in as lead designer for 2 off-Broadway productions when primary designer fell ill

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Master of Fine Arts, Costume Design – Yale School of Drama, New Haven, CT (2014)
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Theater Design – Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (2012)

Professional Development:
Historical Tailoring Intensive – Costume Society of America (2019)
Digital Rendering for Costume Design – UCLA Extension (2018)
Textile Conservation Workshop – American Theater Wing (2016)

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Pattern drafting & garment construction
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
  • Historical costume research & reproduction
  • SyncOnSet costume tracking software
  • Budget management & cost breakdown
  • Textile dyeing & fabric manipulation
  • Costume breakdown & aging techniques
  • Shopify (inventory management)

NOTABLE PROJECTS

Film: “The Midnight Carousel” (2022), “Remember Yesterday” (2021), “Frontier Dreams” (2019)
Television: “The Gilded Hour” (2021), “Westward” (2017-2019), “City Beat” (2018)
Theater: “Hedda Gabler” at Mark Taper Forum (2020), “Twelfth Night” at The Public (2016)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Costume Designers Guild, Local 892 – Member since 2017
United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829 – Member since 2015
Costume Society of America – Member since 2013

How to Write a Costume Designer Resume

Introduction

Creating a winning costume designer resume isn't just about listing your past jobs—it's about crafting a visual story of your career that captures the same creativity you bring to your designs. As someone who's reviewed hundreds of portfolios and resumes for theater companies and film productions, I can tell you that hiring managers often make snap judgments in less than 30 seconds. Your resume needs to showcase your unique blend of artistic vision and practical skills while speaking the language of both creative directors and HR departments.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and scannable—much like a well-organized costume shop. Aim for 1-2 pages (one page for those with under 5 years of experience, two pages for veterans with substantial credits).

  • Choose a clean, professional font (Garamond, Calibri, or Arial work well)
  • Use 10-12pt font size for body text, slightly larger for headings
  • Include plenty of white space—crowded resumes overwhelm readers
  • Consider a subtle splash of color in headings if appropriate, but keep it professional
  • Save as both .docx and PDF formats (PDF preserves your formatting)
Unless you're applying for highly creative indie productions, resist the urge to make your resume overly artistic. Even in creative fields, standard formats help hiring managers quickly find the information they need!

Profile/Summary Section

Your profile should be a 3-4 sentence pitch highlighting your specialty, experience level, and standout achievements. Are you known for period accuracy? Innovative use of materials? Quick turnarounds? This is where you tell them.

Example: "Versatile costume designer with 6+ years crafting distinctive character wardrobes for regional theater and independent films. Particularly skilled in 1920s-1940s period costuming with a knack for sourcing vintage pieces within tight budgets. Known for collaborative process that serves directors' vision while enhancing actors' comfort and character embodiment."

Professional Experience

List your experience in reverse chronological order, focusing on productions rather than employers when possible. For each role:

  • Include production name, company/theater/studio, and dates
  • Note the number of costumes designed/created (e.g., "Designed 37 costumes for cast of 14")
  • Mention specific achievements (stayed 12% under budget, created quick-change solutions)
  • Highlight notable collaborations with directors or designers
  • Include any press mentions or awards for your work

Education and Certifications

Include formal education but don't worry if you're self-taught—this field values portfolio over pedigree. List relevant workshops, master classes, or specialized training (like millinery, armor-making, or digital design software). If you have a BA or MFA in costume design, theater arts, or fashion, place this section higher if you're early in your career.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many larger production companies and theaters now use Applicant Tracking Systems. Include these industry-specific keywords naturally throughout your resume:

  • Technical skills: pattern drafting, draping, tailoring, alterations, hand sewing
  • Design processes: concept boards, renderings, research, fittings, tech rehearsals
  • Materials: fabric types, specialty materials, distressing techniques
  • Software: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, CLO 3D, costume plot software

Industry-specific Terms

Sprinkle your resume with terminology that shows you know the business:

  • "Costume plot" rather than "costume list"
  • "Maintained continuity" for film/TV work
  • "Quick-rigged" for specialized fast changes
  • "Sourced" rather than "bought" materials
  • "Collaborated with makeup and hair departments for cohesive character looks"

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Listing every student production or volunteer gig after you have professional credits
  • Using vague descriptions like "designed costumes" without specifics
  • Focusing solely on design while ignoring practical skills like budgeting or team management
  • Forgetting to mention experience with specialty costuming (dance, period, fantasy)
  • Omitting your portfolio link (include this prominently!)

Before/After Example

Before: "Costume Designer for Hamlet (2022). Created all costumes for the production."

After: "Lead Costume Designer, Hamlet – New City Theater (Spring 2022)
Conceptualized and executed 23 costumes for modern-gothic interpretation, incorporating repurposed materials that reduced budget by 30%. Collaborated closely with lighting designer to ensure fabric textures enhanced atmospheric lighting. Received Best Costume Design nomination from Regional Theater Awards."

Remember—your resume is just the ticket that gets you to the

interview. Your portfolio will do the heavy lifting, but a sharp, focused resume ensures someone actually looks at that portfolio in the first place!

Soft skills for your Costume Designer resume

  • Cross-functional collaboration (working seamlessly with directors, actors, and production teams while juggling competing priorities)
  • Visual storytelling through detailed character interpretation — translating scripts into wearable design concepts that support the narrative
  • Budget negotiation and resource management in high-pressure production environments
  • Diplomatic feedback delivery when handling sensitive fitting sessions with performers
  • Cultural sensitivity when researching and adapting historical or ethnic costume elements
  • Time compression adaptability — think quick rig changes or last-minute alterations when actors are literally waiting in the wings

Hard skills for your Costume Designer resume

  • Pattern drafting and costume construction using both machine and hand-sewing techniques
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) for costume renderings and presentations
  • Budget management and cost breakdowns for productions ranging from $5K-$75K
  • Period-accurate garment replication spanning 16th-21st century fashions
  • Textile sourcing and fabric manipulation (aging, dyeing, distressing)
  • QLab and ShowCue programming for quick-change sequences
  • 3D body scanning and digital measurement tracking with Costume Pro software
  • Experience with specialized materials (thermoplastics, silicone molding, foam fabrication)
  • Fitting documentation systems and continuity tracking across multi-episode productions