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The Magic Garment

Principles of Costume Design

 

Rebecca Cunningham

 

Comprehensive, clear, well-illustrated, and concise! This outstanding volume provides a systematic overview of the process of costume design for the stage, presenting beginning designers with the fundamentals upon which to build their costume skills. From styles of visual presentation and the use of fabric and materials, to developing skills in research, conceptualization, interpretation, and organization of budgeting, shopping and scheduling, The Magic Garment enables readers to develop an understanding of and appreciation for the process of costuming a production. Readers are exposed to a broad range of theatrical literature through illustrations, references in the text, and pertinent quotes from plays. They are also taught how to analyze plays from the costume designer’s perspective. In addition, readers learn how to draw and render costume sketches and how to apply different design principles to specific types of costumes. The costume designer’s art lies in effective interpretation, collaboration, and execution. The Magic Garment makes this process accessible and, with lively detail and a wealth of illustrations, brings the exciting world of costume design to life.

Basic Sewing for Costume Construction


 

$42.95 list, 395 pages

10-digit ISBN: 0-88133-762-5

13-digit ISBN: 978-0-88133-762-4

© 1989

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“I am very impressed with how much information is packed into such a discrete text, and yet without significant sacrifice of clarity. The drawings and supplementary illustrations are quite helpful, as are the appendices. I think the technical sections on fabric and construction are very good, and the photographs of costumes under construction are well executed and really serve the text.”  — Stephen C. Judd, Alfred University

“Nicely balanced between design and implementation.”   — Harvey Johnson, Geneva College

“A well-organized, first-rate text.”  — Konrad Winters, Old Dominion University

“Cunningham’s approach to costume design is straight forward and complete. It makes an exceptional source for beginning design students.”  — Judy Adamson, University of North Carolina

“The broad range of material covered in a distilled form is the most appealing aspect of this text. Generally, I need to pull from several sources to get the job done.”  — Patricia D. Wilson, Florida Atlantic University

“A great text with a comprehensive information system that is easy to understand. Really, it is one of the best texts for undergraduate costume classes.”  — Tina Campbell, Marquette University

“Best of all, Ms. Cunningham imparts to her readers an excitement in the process of theater and in the collaborative nature of the art.”  — Willene Mangham, College of St. Benedict

“This is the only text I have found that outlines the way to come up with a concise concept statement. This is a difficult idea for young designers to grasp and Ms. Cunningham has outlined the process beautifully!”  — Kerri S. Packard, University of Missouri

“An exceptionally clear text with a fine balance of textual information and graphics.”  — Thomas Heiman, Northeast Louisiana University

“This book has the best chapter on the elements of design—better than any other design text I’ve encountered.”  — Kristina Tollefson, University of Central Florida

Table of Contents

 

1. Understanding Stage Costumes
2. Understanding the Play
3. Doing Research
4. The Designer’s Tools: The Elements and Principles of Design
5. Developing the Costume
6. Rendering the Sketch
7. Choosing Fabrics
8. Getting the Show Together
Appendix I. Historical Research Sources
Appendix II. Historical Costume Outline
Appendix III. Play Synopses