Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

The Work

The Costume Designer works closely with the Production Designer and Director to establish the visual requirements of the script in pre-production, making sure the colours and imagery will blend.

The work involves researching the costume requirements (particularly if it is a period production, to ensure that costumes are historically accurate) and breaking down the script to establish the number of costumes and changes of costume that the actors will require.  
 
The Costume Designer then plans, designs and supervises the purchase, hiring and /or making of all costumes for the production. Thereafter, the costume designer is working with the heads of department of wardrobe, hair and make-up. He/she supervises fittings of the actors at rehearsals with the director, to ensure the overall look will be right.  
 
When principal photography of the film begins, the Costume Designer is required to be on set during the establishment of each new scene or set up. While adequate preparation will ensure that the costumes as presented are accepted by the Director, it can happen that the requirements of any given scene may need changing or modifying.

The Costume Designer works ahead, fitting and preparing costumes and ensuring everything required is available when scheduled for filming. The work of a Costume Designer includes paperwork and administration related to the costume department.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Create worksheets for dressing lists, show notes, or costume checks.
• Provide dressing assistance to cast members or assign cast dressers to assist specific cast members with costume changes.
• Arrange costumes in order of use to facilitate quick-change procedures for performances.
• Design or construct costumes or send them to tailors for construction, major repairs, or alterations.
• Examine costume fit on cast members and sketch or write notes for alterations.
• Distribute costumes or related equipment and keep records of item status.
• Check the appearance of costumes on stage or under lights to determine whether desired effects are being achieved.
• Clean and press costumes before and after performances and perform any minor repairs.
• Collaborate with production designers, costume designers, or other production staff to discuss and execute costume design details.
• Monitor, maintain, or secure inventories of costumes, wigs, or makeup, providing keys or access to assigned directors, costume designers, or wardrobe mistresses/masters.

Further Information

• Costume Designer - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Costume Designer - from: GradIreland
• Costume Designer - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

The starting point for employment in the film industry is as a Trainee Costume Designer, before upgrading to Assistant and then upgrading to a full Costume Designer. The qualifications required to upgrade are governed by the relevant section of The Services Industrial Professional Technical Union (SIPTU). They include work on a specified number of productions, among them period productions.  
 
Applications to join SIPTU as a trainee should be accompanied by a good design portfolio. Work in theatre is a very useful background to have, training in fashion design or interior design is also desirable.  
 
There are a number of design and fashion courses available that train students in necessary skills.

There are many entry routes into Textile craft design. However, most take formal training courses up to diploma or degree level. 

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Customer service, Manufacturing quality, Management, start your own business in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET Centre PLC: Art Portfolio prep Craft, Fashion Design, Customer design, Textile Design, Art, Creative textiles courses around Ireland at NFQ levels 5-6  search our FET PLC coursefinder 

Higher Education CAO Entry:  Applied Art, Design in fashion, Creative Textiles for costume, Textile design at NFQ levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder 

Applicants for craft and design courses are usually required to submit a portfolio of work via CAO. 

Developing your craft business or costume design practice increasingly involves skills in Digital media marketing. Building your brand and showcasing your work are key.

Professional Development 

Design & Crafts council Business & Guidance support 

Local Enterprise Offices Business mentoring 

Local Partnership Eneterprise Business development 

Design Skillnet Network CPD and support

Careers In Screen

IFTN Irish Film and TV network

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €55k

Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, location, and experience. 

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Glassdoor/ Talent/ Indeed/ Salaryband/ DEASP

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average employment growth rate was below average for this occupation, although there was an increase of over 2,000 persons employed between 2021 and 2022. As the Census data indicates, there are a large number of roles within this group, with many employing fewer than 1,000 persons. Between 2016 and 2022, employment levels fell for many of these roles.

Despite the decline in employment evident in the Census data, the Skills for Growth data indicates issues with recruitment of upholsterers for both the industry and retail (repair) sectors; upholsterers also appeared in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data (albeit in small numbers), along with spray painters (included in the other skilled trades n.e.c. category). Although demand for many of these trades have declined in recent years, an increased focus on the circular economy may see increased demand, or at least slow the decline for roles such as upholsterers and tailors.

• SIPTU (Arts Culture Print and Media Sector)

  • Liberty Hall, Dublin 1
  • (01) 8586300
  • Click Here

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
  • Click Here

• Grafton Academy of Dress Designing

  • 6 Herbert Place, Dublin 2
  • (01) 676 7940
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here