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

~ Liz Covey (Author), (Author) "Plays are crafted..." (more)
Key Phrases: first design conference, playscript analysis, many costume designers, New York, Frances Aronson, Colleen Muscha (more...)

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.

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Drama; 2 Sub edition (November 2, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435086073
• ISBN-13: 978-0435086077
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #145,895 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 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

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.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What it is good for, May 31, 2004

By A Customer

I bought this book because of the ratings and was disappointed. Yes it does give chronological information on planning and basics on drawing and a lot of info on working therater designs and with others. Great, but not what I needed. It also has a great reference section for doing the research you need to do but, I already had most of this info from other sources. I have a history and arts background and i needed inspiration. It did give me an inspiration to reorganize my art supplies!Don't waste your money if you are not theater oriented. AND I do mean theater.

18 of 25 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 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!!