New Zealand Diploma In Costume Construction

Summary

The New Zealand Diploma in Costume Construction is the only tertiary course in New Zealand that specialises in costume construction for stage and screen. The course is taught by some of New Zealand’s best industry professionals and aims to provide students with skills in all forms of costume construction and production. This will lead to employment in film, theatre and allied industries. Costume students have the opportunity to collaborate with the New Zealand School of Dance on their major performance events as well as being actively involved in most shows, films and performance projects at Toi Whakaari. In addition, the annual Costume Showcase exists to present the graduating costumiers’ work in a live performance event.

Course Information

The Diploma is a full-time, two year, vocational and highly practical course covering all aspects of costume work. The second year involves students undertaking industry secondments with professional performing arts organisations in their particular area of interest. This includes areas like film, commercials and theatre.

Costume Construction students must be 18 years of age by the first day of the first term – there is no upper age limit. Applications are invited from candidates of all backgrounds, with or without prior costume experience.

Year 1

• Core Sewing Technique
• Flat Pattern-Making
• Millinery, Costume Props and Accessories
• Costume Construction for Productions and Events
• Costume Design Process
• Costume History
• Costume Dyeing, Printing and Finishing
• Costume Textiles and Technology
• Context and Practice

Year 2

• Advanced Millinery
• Costume for Dance
• Corsetry and Undergarments
• Leather, Worbla and EVA foam
• Tailoring
• Costume construction for Productions and Events
• Costume Workshop Management
• Independent Research Project (Major Work)
• Industry Secondment

Career Pathways

The NZ Diploma in Costume Construction is designed to provide graduates who may enter the workforce as an employee, freelance or self-employed practitioner in roles such as:

• Costume Maker
• Costume Supervisor
• Costume Stylist
• Costume Stand-by
• Costume Design Associate
• Costume Prop or Soft Prop Maker
• Milliner
• Buyer
• Costume Textile Artist (costume ageing and distressing, dyeing and printing etc.)