Rae Stephens

For as long as I can remember, I have loved the world of entertainment; ballets, musicals, movies, entertainers, plays and all the costumes that floated, shimmered along the way. Loving the industry did not mean I knew an thing about it; indeed, it was not until I attended university (University of Lethbridge) that I learned there was such a thing as a Costume Shop.

I worked as a stage hand throughout my degree; mostly loading and unloading shows, setting up sets and hanging and focusing theatrical lighting. This gave me a huge insight into the workings of a show; the layers of a show - from a bare stage and empty theatre to a full set with magical lights and costumes. As I became trained as a Dresser, I was able to work on the performances in the Costume Department rather than the Stage Department. Thus, I could get a close look at costumes and how they were created and worn by the performers. This was also the beginning of my backstage training and deportment.

I soon became a Costume Shop fixture; sewing and fitting costumes, learning new techniques and working as a dresser during performances. Needless to say, I loved it all but would need to move to a larger centre if I wanted to develop a career as a Costumer.

My first job in the big city Calgary, Alberta was working in a fabric store while I applied to Theatre and ballet companies. Soon the call came for temporary, project based work and I began working as a professional Costumer, Dresser and Breakdown Artist for a theatrical company. After that, I was invited to join film costumers and work with the Extras Supervisor to break down hundreds of background costumes. That led to union membership and further work as a stage hand in the Lighting Department until some costume gigs opened up. Soon I was called to work as a Stitcher, Costumer, Dresser and Tour Mistress for a ballet company.

Each opportunity to work provided another opportunity to learn from the other film costumers and soon I was invited to work on more films as a Breakdown Artist and Extras Supervisor. After a season or two I was invited to work as Principal Truck Costumer and Set Supervisor.

While riding the train to work on day, a passenger asked where he could become trained as a Costumer and thats when I thought I would write a book about Costuming and working as a Costumer. I would write about all the job positions that are included in the Wardrobe Department and what a person needs to know in order to work in those departments. I would add a chapter about breakdown and dyeing and most of all ... offer encouragement to costumers in the same way I was encouraged when I first joined the business. The result of over 20 years working as a Costumer; is the book, The Costumer's Notebook.

The Costumers Institute

However, once I finished the book and offered it for sale online, I still felt remote and far away from costumers and the work. So I developed an educational and informative webpage for my business, The Costumers Institute. I hope to reach other costumers and encourage them through interesting and educational blogs, tutorials, trailers, industry links and even bloopers. Currently, I lead Wardrobe Workshops and support the local Independent Film Industry through my work as a costume designer.These projects enable me to share the stage and film skills I have learned from those who shared with me ...