The Costume Designer's Handbook: A Complete Guide for Amateur and Professional Costume Designers [Paperback]

Rosemary & Covey, Liz Ingham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1983 | ISBN-10: 0131812718 | ISBN-13: 978-0131812710

Newly revised and updated, The Costume Designer's Handbook is now more comprehensive than ever and is the backbone of any costume designer's library since its original publication in 1983. Features of this new edition include:

• a foreword by Arvin Brown, Artistic Director of the Long Wharf Theatre
• guidance on how to read and analyze a play
• plans for establishing a costume plot
• insights into working with directors and other designers
• resources for doing historical research
• a discussion of the properties of color
• sketching, drawing, and drafting techniques
• an 8-page color insert
• 150 black-and-white photos, drawings, and charts
• a complete, up-to-date reference section

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The Costumer's Handbook (1980), the bible of theatrical costumers, has been out of print for a while. It is resurrected here in a much expanded version as two essential reference/hand/text books, one for designers and one for technicians. Both are superbly illustrated and contain both an extensive annotated bibliography and a lengthy shopping guide. The Designer's Handbook follows the process from script to production, also offering contains a chapter on the profession. The Technician's Handbook begins with setting up a costume shop and goes on to such topics as safety, fabrics, pattern-making, con struction, fitting, dyeing, and sections on hair, hats, and accessories. Both titles are required purchases for theater collections.
- Thomas E. Luddy, Salem State Coll., Mass.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Liz Covey is a freelance costume designer whose work has been seen in England's and America's leading theatres. She has taught at Barnard College, Columbia University, Marymount Manhattan College, and Bennington College.

Rosemary Ingham is a costume designer and writer. Her design work has been seen at regional theatres across the country for more than three decades. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall (June 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131812718
• ISBN-13: 978-0131812710
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,519,782 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't know where to start until someone lent me this book, January 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Costume Designer's Handbook: A Complete Guide for Amateur and Professional Costume Designers (Paperback)

I'd been assisting designers for quite some time, even designed some of my own shows, without an education in costume design. I have lots of great experience but I'm sure nothing can compete with a costume design education (mine is in fashion design), which I'd like to pursue when I have the time. I'm so glad I found out about this book! Every aspect of the process you need to know about is in here. It is essential! I can't believe I survived as long as I did without it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, August 26, 2010

By 

Laura Darkly "TA" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Costume Designer's Handbook: A Complete Guide for Amateur and Professional Costume Designers (Paperback)

It is amazing that someone could leave a negative review of a book because it was "not what [they] were looking for", when the description of the book states exactly what it's about. It is not a pattern book. It is not a book full of historical costume pictures. It is a book for theatrical costume designers, going over the process of theatrical costume design from start to finish, and it is very good & thorough. Extremely helpful, especially if you're just starting out in costuming for productions of any size!

21 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview of process, May 31, 1999

By 

Bridgette Dyer-Leighton (Sandy, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Costume Designer's Handbook: A Complete Guide for Amateur and Professional Costume Designers (Paperback)

This is a great resource for the design process. I especially use these guidelines for analysis of a play and characters whenever I design a show. A must have for anyone interested in designing shows!!