All the materials needed for a career in costume design

Turn your passion for theatre and fashion into a costume-making career. Our Diploma of Live Production and Technical Services CUA50420 (Costume) is a hands-on course that prepares you for employment in costume designing and costume making. Home to over 50 theatres, the city of Melbourne and its inner suburbs is the perfect place to turn your imaginative designs into visual expressions on stage.

Hone your creative skills

In this practical course, you will spend the year designing, constructing, making and altering a variety of costumes. Gain expertise in novelty and period costume making, millinery, tailoring, costume history, and film and television wardrobe. Taught at Melbourne Polytechnic’s Prahan campus, you will be among the hustle and bustle of a lively artistic community. Melbourne Polytechnic’s costuming facilities have individual work stations equipped with modern sewing machines, a wet area for costume dyeing, designing and cutting tables and materials and costume storage. Your teachers have specialised skills in the industry and as a result, you will have the opportunity to work on industry related events. Melbourne Polytechnic’s dramatic arts program has enduring industry connections with small and large-scale theatre companies such as Arts Centre Melbourne, La Mama, Carlton Courthouse, Red Stitch Theatre Company, Victorian Opera, The Australian Ballet, Black Hole Theatre Company, Impro Melbourne, and the National Institute of Circus Arts (NICA).

A future that’s a great fit

Graduates will have learned the skills to set up their own business as a costumier. You will also be qualified to work in the theatre, film and television industries - as well as in the broader clothing and fashion industries - making and designing costumes, evening wear and day wear, and creating hats and headpieces.