Associate Professor Rebecca Pride, course leader of MA Historical Costume at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), has released a second edition of The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit with Routledge, one of the world’s leading academic publishers.
This updated exploration into the responsibilities of a costume supervisor within a theatrical, opera or dance production company offers invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of costume design and management.
“This second edition delves deeper into the nuances of this craft through detailed case studies of productions, including some from AUB,” Rebecca, says.
“I interviewed a long list of leading costume production professionals, including Stephanie Spangler the Director of Costume at The Metropolitan Opera in New York and the former Head of Costume at the National Theatre, Carol Lingwood.
“I also interviewed film professionals alongside theatre costume teams. This broadened out the information included and acknowledged the breadth of work that we do here at AUB and within the University’s own Bournemouth Film School.”
With insightful anecdotes and practical advice, this revised guide highlights the importance of effective communication and problem-solving skills in navigating the complexities of costume production.
From sourcing fabrics and collaborating with directors and designers, to managing budgets and coordinating fittings, The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit illuminates the indispensable role of costume supervision in bringing characters to life on stage and screen.
“Although I’ve worked largely as a designer throughout my career, costume supervision has always been a strong interest and focus for me," says Rebecca. "Formally researching and then describing the process of supervising in the classroom, as well as in written form in this book, has been a fascinating exercise.”
Research for the book was funded by AUB via a small grant from the Research Office. The second edition has been fully updated to include:
- Expanded common terminology
- Information on period costumes
- Additional ideas for styling costumes
- New and enlarged images throughout
- Updated information on processes and technology throughout
The Costume Supervisor’s Toolkit is available to purchase via the Routledge website.
