The Costume Studio is a co-working costume shop available to costume designers and artisans working on nonprofit performing arts productions.
Located in Manhattan's Garment District, The Costume Studio allows for easy access to fabric stores, Herald Square, and theatres and rehearsal studios in the area. The workspace consists of rentable 'pods' (cutting table, clothing rack, storage, sewing machines) within an open shop that includes shared specialty sewing machines, dress forms, and commercial steam irons. It also has fitting rooms, washers and dryers, and a properly ventilated craft area. In addition to supplying much needed space and equipment for these designers, The Costume Studio offers labor support, access to costume stock, and a variety of workshops and lectures.
Designers, who have previously had to work in isolation, now have a space to network, engage, and collaborate. We are excited by the connections and sense of community that will occur in a room of young and established designers, from diverse backgrounds, working alongside each other on shows of varying budgets. This sharing of wealth, both financial and experiential, will raise the quality of design across all budget levels.
We are just beginning this amazing journey!
Start-up costs are currently the largest hurdle to getting The Costume Studio up and running.
We need to raise $275,000 to:
Build out the offices and workspace
Purchase equipment and supplies
Expand our website
Fund other operating expenses
Please consider donating to The Costume Studio to help us cover these essential costs. Your gift will make a significant difference in the working conditions of the costume designers and artisans working in the nonprofit sector. These artists will be able to dream bigger and better, which will benefit all who participate in the performing arts, both creators and audiences alike!
We are fiscally sponsored by New York Foundation for the Arts. Through this sponsorship, all donations to The Costume Studio are tax-deductible, including in-kind donations. NYFA will also accept wire and stock transfers on our behalf. Please contact us directly at creators@thecostumestudionyc.org for more information on donating through those methods.
Read on to learn more!
The Costume Studio is a nonprofit organization created to service the costuming needs of the nonprofit performing arts by providing workspace, production support, training, and community.
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The Costume Studio provides subsidized workspace for costume professionals. Our shop includes cutting tables, sewing machines, fitting rooms, washers and dryers, and a ventilated craft area
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The Costume Studio employs a staff of drapers, stitchers, craft artisans, and shoppers to assist designers with the sewing, crafting, and shopping needs of their production at a subsidized cost.
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The Costume Studio offers workshops and lectures to help designers and artisans stay up to date with the latest craft technologies, social movements, and business practices.
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The Costume Studio facilitates networking and collaborations amongst costume professionals at all different stages in their careers by offering a centralized gathering place.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS
To improve the working conditions and level of support received by costume designers employed in the nonprofit theatre sector.
To foster a greater sense of sharing and community throughout the costume industry.
To heighten the quality of costume design experienced in the nonprofit theatre sector.
To expand directors, producers, and board members’ understanding of the of time and effort that designing costumes requires so that they can raise their fees and budgets accordingly.
To promote awareness of the theatrical design profession within underresourced schools.
To increase racial diversity within the costume design profession.
The largest program within The Costume Studio is the co-working costume shop, which addresses the lack of space and production support offered to costume designers working on nonprofit productions.
Workspace:
The workspace consists of rentable ‘pods’ within an open shop complete with 3 fitting rooms and a properly ventilated craft area. Our goal is to have 10-12 pods available.
In addition to the equipment included in each pod, all renters have shared access to the equipment and supplies contained within the wider shop. We maintain a stock of basic supplies, such as thread, needles, pins, muslin, and pattern paper. We also have an assortment of hand tools available to borrow.
Stock & Supplies:
Designers have access to a stock of contemporary costumes which are available for an additional rental fee. We regularly source fabric, notions, and additional supplies from Material for the Arts, and other similar organizations, that are offered for free to anyone using the space. We also have a library of books and patterns available for designers and drapers to use for inspiration.
Production Support:
The Costume Studio also offers labor support. We employ a small team of drapers, stitchers, shoppers, and craft artisans who are available to hire for builds, alterations, shopping, and returns.
Pods:
4’x8’ Cutting Table or 2’x4’ Desk
6’ Commercial Rolling Rack
Domestic Sewing Machine
Domestic Overlock Serger
Lockable Storage Cabinet
Shop:
Industrial Sewing Machines
Industrial Overlock Sergers
Specialty Machines including a Blindhemmer & Coverstitch
Commercial Steam Irons & Steamers
Dress Forms
Commercial Printer & Copier
Craft Area:
Washers & Dryers
Dye Vat
Spray Hood
Heat Gun
Fitting Rooms:
Clothing Rack & Shelving
3-way Full-length Mirror
Theatrical Lighting
Hem Marker
Stock of safety pins, oak tags, marking supplies
(potential ground plan only)
Internship Program
There are a lack of opportunities for students from underresourced neighborhoods to learn about our industry. We would like to fill that gap by creating a paid internship program geared towards BIPOC students. These students would work alongside professional designers and technicians, have free access to all lectures and workshops, and experience a portfolio review at the end of the semester.
We would also collaborate with the contracted designers and companies to arrange for the interns to observe the technical rehearsals of shows that pass through the shop.
Lecture & Workshop Series
After college, there are limited options for costume professionals to expand their knowledge of new techniques and practices specific to our business. Technologies change rapidly, especially in crafting, with developments in 3D printing, laser cutting, and thermoplastics. We want to give individuals working in our field a place to learn about these advances and experiment with them, while not under the pressure of opening a show.
Likewise, new developments in sociocultural issues and business practices can be difficult to follow and understand. We would also offer lectures and discussions to guide costume professionals through these changes.
Roundtable Discussions
As we move forward in the performing arts industry towards greater diversity, pay parity, and discussions of equal support for all designers, we would like to offer a place where discussions between producers, directors, and designers can occur. We feel it’s important that our organization not only supports costume designers and shines a light on their struggles, but that nonprofit performing arts companies also work towards supporting and engaging the work of the entire designer team.
Expanded Shop & Studios
It is our hope that eventually we will be able to expand to a space that can accommodate a larger shop with more amenities, as well as individual studios available for long term rental.