Source costumes for a production

​This standard is about your ability to select, hire or buy costumes for a production from a costume house, manufacturer, or supplier.

This may involve finding and approaching suppliers, buying or hiring costumes, meeting quality, quantity, type and size requirements, maintaining costumes to avoid damage fees, inspecting and returning costumes to suppliers.

This standard may be applicable to costume supervisors, costume assistants or wardrobe assistants.

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1. ​interpret and confirm the design brief, production requirements and production schedule
2. confirm and work within the constraints of the budget
3. acquire and confirm the costume breakdown
4.  Identify appropriate costumes and plan costume acquisition
5. identify suitable suppliers who can provide costumes within the required budget and timescale
6. provide suppliers with accurate and complete specifications for each item required
7. request samples of potential costumes
8. schedule purchase and hiring time to ensure production schedules are met
9. agree the terms, conditions and documentation for the supply and return of costumes/materials/accessories materials with the suppliers
10. record details of selected costumes/materials/accessories
11. arrange the receipt of costumes and a suitable storage area
12. check costumes against order descriptions and report discrepancies
13. identify  and report lost or damaged goods and potential lost or damaged fees
14. return unwanted, unused items ensuring there is no loss to the production
15. produce and process complete and legible documents for the receipt and return of items
16. return hired costumes to suppliers following agreed return procedures and  using methods which minimise the risk of damage in transit
17. follow the productions confidentiality rules and requirements
18. communicate across production staff and other relevant departments or individuals
19. follow health and safety legislation and guidelines at all times

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1. ​production requirements, schedules and costume breakdowns
2. the quality, quantity, size, and functionality of the costumes requirements
3. costume assessment for suitability in relation to style, function, type, materials and size
4. time and budgetary constraints
5. who is the relevant person(s) to agree the costume selection
6. potential fees and fines for lost or damaged items
7. potential reliable suppliers
8. effective negotiation techniques to employ with suppliers costumes labelling and recording procedures
9. effective methods for protecting and storing costumes
10. documentation required for the purchase, hire, receipt and return of costumes
11. the productions confidentiality rules and requirements
12. communication protocol with production staff and other relevant departments or individuals
13. statutory responsibilities under health, safety and environmental legislation and regulations

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3

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30 Mar 2026

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Current

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Original

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ScreenSkills

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SKSQ26

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Arts, Media and Publishing, Associate Professionals and Technical Occupations, Crafts, Creative Arts and Design, Media and Communication, Media Associate Professionals, Performing Arts

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3422

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costume; wardrobe; identify; hire; production; houses; requirements; quality; quantity; type; size; schedule; damage; fees; inspecting; suppliers; returning; documentation

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