How to Be a Movie Costume Designer

Intern in the Wardrobe Departments of Hollywood Movies
Working on Hollywood films as a costume designer may be a far fetched goal for fashion professionals at the beginning of their careers. It may be easier to obtain an internship with the head costume designer who is working on a big-budget production. You may or may not get paid but can learn tips and tricks that can bring more long term jobs. Contacting costume designers who are established in the movie industry is one way to obtain an internship on the next Hollywood film. The internship method can help you develop useful job prospects and contacts needed to be a costume designer on another movie set.

Invite Movie Producers to your Fashion Shows
Fashion designers who have graduated college or are working in their fields can attract job offers by networking with movie producers. Contact fashion show coordinators and ask to participate in their events. There are also ways to put on your own Fashion Show, which brings more attention to your skills and talent as a costume designer. Invite movie producers and costume designers that you know to this event. Make it clear to these movie professionals that you are interested in working as a costume designer.

Work for Less than Scale on Independent Films
There are thousands of independent films made each year that could benefit from having a costume designer on set. You may not get all of the benefits of working on multi-million dollar Hollywood films but independent projects can help to build a resume. Visit film festivals to meet independent film producers and contact listings in the production section of IndieSlate magazine to obtain jobs as a costume designer. You must be willing to work for less than the regular pay scale of a head wardrobe or costume designer in Hollywood when helping on independent films. If these movies get into any film festivals, make sure to visit the events or mention any awards and nominations on your resume. Being hired as a costume designer for independent films may also provide more flexibility to make wardrobe decisions than a Hollywood production.

Become a Wardrobe Consultant for Local TV Shows
Much like independent films, there are hundreds of locally produced public access TV shows around the country. Many of these programs operate on a low budget and cannot afford to hire a wardrobe consultant. It is not difficult to be a costume designer for local TV shows if you can find them and contact the producers. Provide your own fashion designs for the hosts or cast members to wear in exchange for a costume designer credit. Working on local TV shows can help to get more publicity for your designs, which can lead to retail or online sales.