The Magic Garment: Principles of Costume Design [Paperback]

Rebecca Cunningham (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0881337625 | ISBN-13: 978-0881337624 | Publication Date: December 1993

Comprehensive, clear, well-illustrated, and concise! This outstanding volume provides a systematic overview of the process of costume design for the stage, presenting beginning designers with the fundamentals upon which to build their costume skills. From styles of visual presentation and the use of fabric and materials, to developing skills in research, conceptualization, interpretation, and organization of budgeting, shopping and scheduling, The Magic Garment enables readers to develop an understanding of and appreciation for the process of costuming a production. Readers are exposed to a broad range of theatrical literature through illustrations, references in the text, and pertinent quotes from plays. They are also taught how to analyze plays from the costume designer's perspective. In addition, readers learn how to draw and render costume sketches and how to apply different design principles to specific types of costumes. The costume designer's art lies in effective interpretation, collaboration, and execution. The Magic Garment makes this process accessible and, with lively detail and a wealth of illustrations, brings the exciting world of costume design to life.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Among this exciting volume's outstanding features, it (1) incorporates research resources, bibliography, checklists, and organizational aids for designers; (2) includes synopses of all plays mentioned in the text and an historical costume outline tracing the development of dress through those periods and cultures most commonly required in Western European and American Drama; and (3) emphasizes the creative thought process of the designer as well as the practical get-it-on-stage aspects of costume design. Titles of related interest from Waveland Press: Brackelsberg-Marshall, Unit Method of Clothing Construction, Seventh Edition (ISBN 9781577660545); Catron, Playwriting: Writing, Producing, and Selling Your Play (ISBN 9780881335644); Cunningham, Basic Sewing for Costume Construction: A Handbook (ISBN 9781577664086); Strand-Evans, Costume Construction (ISBN 9781577660750); and Yordon, Experimental Theatre: Creating and Staging Texts (ISBN 9780881339079).

From the Back Cover

"I am very impressed with how much information is packed into such a discrete text, and yet without significant sacrifice of clarity. The drawings and supplementary illustrations are quite helpful, as are the appendices. I think the technical sections on fabric and construction are very good, and the photographs of costumes under construction are well executed and really serve the text." -- Stephen C. Judd, Alfred University

"Nicely balanced between design and implementation." -- Harvey Johnson, Geneva College

"A well-organized, first-rate text." -- Konrad Winters, Old Dominion University

"Cunningham's approach to costume design is straight forward and complete. It makes an exceptional source for beginning design students." -- Judy Adamson, University of North Carolina

"The broad range of material covered in a distilled form is the most appealing aspect of this text. Generally, I need to pull from several sources to get the job done." -- Patricia D. Wilson, Florida Atlantic University

"A great text with a comprehensive information system that is easy to understand. Really, it is one of the best texts for undergraduate costume classes." -- Tina Campbell, Marquette University

"Best of all, Ms. Cunningham imparts to her readers an excitement in the process of theater and in the collaborative nature of the art." -- Willene Mangham, College of St. Benedict

"This is the only text I have found that outlines the way to come up with a concise concept statement. This is a difficult idea for young designers to grasp and Ms. Cunningham has outlined the process beautifully!" -- Kerri S. Packard, University of Missouri

"An exceptionally clear text with a fine balance of textual information and graphics." -- Thomas Heiman, Northeast Louisiana University

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Waveland Pr Inc (December 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0881337625
• ISBN-13: 978-0881337624
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #319,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's a great beginning, March 16, 2001

By 

Wes D.Pearce (Regina, SK Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Magic Garment: Principles of Costume Design (Paperback)

Having taught costume design for a number of years, the one thing I can say with certainty is that no book can do everything. I've used the text for a number of years and find it helpful...especially her approach to analyzing the text (I still use her checklists myself). However, a lot of my students are intimidated by some of the illustrations/examples of work. They don't know how to approach sketching for themselves and there are a couple of other texts that are more helpful in aiding in that particular process. Possibly there could be more graphic illustrations of getting from A to D (show us B & C) instead of just the beginning and the end result. The historical research sources and the historical costume outline are good - again some of my students think that she provides a finite list of resources and as with any historical survey the attention is to avoid variations and or anything beyond high fashion. Generally, a strong introductory text but needs supplementary materials (as does any book). No one has complained about the text; that's a good sign.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Key to the World of Costume Design, August 16, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Magic Garment: Principles of Costume Design (Paperback)

As a college student I was first introduced to the book The Magic Garment: Principles of Costume Design by Rebecca Cunningham. The book is simple and consise while providing a wealth of valuable information for the novice or professional. I enjoyed this book so much that I have choosen to use it as the text book for my costume design class. This will be my first teaching experience; however, I feel confident that this book will enable me to help my class understand the art of costume design.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Required textbook, April 29, 2009

By 

Nicole D'Ella - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Magic Garment: Principles of Costume Design (Paperback)

This was the required textbook for my college's costume design class. Everyone says it is mandatory for anyone considering a career in this profession. The class I took was geared solely towards the stage costume designer and so is this book. Still it is very usefull to those who desire to work in film.