The Wardrobe Assistant is the junior member of the wardrobe/costume department. The costume designer is the head of the department and works closely with the production designer to ensure the authenticity of the costumes. On larger productions, the costume designer will have a team of assistants that may include cutters, makers, finishers, dyers and milliners. On a small scale production they may work on their own.
The wardrobe assistant may be required to break down the script, organise the wardrobe department and make sure supplies are ordered. They may dress the artistes and perform alterations and repairs on costumes. They may be responsible for packing and unpacking costumes for shipping overseas. They may be responsible for continuity on set, standing by to maintain costumes between takes. For period productions, they may age and distress costumes. They will clean, launder and press costumes after use.
Although no formal qualifications are required by FT2, wardrobe assistants will normally have a qualification in foundation skills, such as ironing, steaming, adapting garments, dyeing, hand and machine sewing, alterations, pattern cutting and the ability to draw. People wishing to work in this area must have good people and communication skills. To work as a wardrobe assistant a driving license is desirable.
