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Costume Design By Mrs. T. J. Sharland |
ie ORDER that students and the public generally may thoroughly |

understand the Costume Design course, a brief explanation of the sub-
ject may be of interest.

In reality there are two distinct branches of this work, namely, Cos
tume Design and Costume Illustration. ; '

Costume Design, as taught in the Art School, is the creation or
designing of costumes or any article of clothing. It requires a good
knowledge of the fundamental laws of design and color, the structure
and lines of the human figure, historic costume and ornament, the texture
and handling of materials and trimmings, and the ability to translate
that knowledge into beautiful original costumes suitable to the individual.

Costume IIlustration, with which Costume Design is so often confused
is much more simple, being only a pleasing illustration or drawing of some
one else’s design in any technique, such as pen and ink, crayon pencil
wash or mat color.

A certain amount of Costume Illustration, however, is taught in the
Costume Design Class in order to give those who can illustrate particularly
well a chance to develope their talent, and also to give those who desi
well a medium for expressing their ideas.

Dressmaking is not included in this course, that being the technical |
interpretation of the design and therefore belongs more in a Technical
School Curriculum.

Many designers work directly with the materials, draping, pinning
and cutting on the models, but that method is, of course, impractical fo
students. Each design is, however, worked out or draped from draping
paper to make sure that it is workable. Designs attractive on paper are
often not successful when carried out in cloth.

When it is realized that every drawing shown in hundreds of fashio
magazines and every costume in every shop throughout the world is th
product of some Costume Designer, an idea of the opportunities
students of this subject will be gained. Costume Designing is not mere
a hobby or pastime, but is, instead, one of the highest paid profession
which always has room for the designer with real creative ability.