Costume design is the fabrication of apparel for the overall appearance of a character or performer. This usually involves researching, designing and building the actual items from conception. Costumes may be for a theater or cinema performance but may not be limited to such. Costume design should not be confused with Costume coordination which merely involves altering existing clothing.

Their are four major classes of costumes are used in theatrical design, Historical, fantastic, dance, and modern.

Typically designs are first sketched out and approved, then either draped on a form or a pattern drafted. Along with the fabricated portion, the costume may require accessories such as footwear, hats and head dresses for the actors to wear, but it may also include designing masks, makeup, wigs, underwear or other unusual specialty items.

We are pleased to present this one of a kind collection of forty-four {44} vintage books and over 2,000 image plates from the 1800's and early 1900's presenting inspiration and instructions on victorian dress making and costume design.


Titles Include:

:: A History of Feminine Fashion

:: Ancient Greek Female Costume

:: British Costume During the Nineteen Centuries

:: Chats on Costume

:: China - Its Costume & Arts

:: Costume Design and Illustration

:: Costume in England

:: Costume of Colonial Times

:: Costume of Prelates of the Catholic Church

:: Costume of the Ancients Vol 2

:: Costume of the Ancients Vol1

:: Costume of the People of India

:: Costumes of Europe

:: Costumes of Oxford University

:: Costumes on the West Coast of Africa

:: Cyclopedia of Costume Vol 1

:: Cyclopedia of Costume Vol 2

:: Cyclopedia of costume Vol 4

:: Cyclopeida of Costume vol 3

:: Dress and Adornment of Luzon Philippine Islands

:: Dress as it has been

:: Dresses and Decorations of the Middle Ages - Vol 1

:: Dresses and Decorations of the Middle Ages - Vol 2

:: Dresses in Ancient Egypt

:: English Costume from Prehistoric

:: English Costume Vol 1

:: English Costume Vol 2

:: English Costume Vol 3

:: English Costume Vol 4

:: English Costume

:: Fancy Dresses Described

:: Greek Dress

:: Historic Dress in America 1607-1800

:: Historic Dress in America 1800-1870

:: How To Make Historic American Costumes

:: Japanese Costume

:: Manual of Costume

:: Modes & Manners Vol 1

:: Modes & Manners Vol 2

:: Modes & Manners Vol 3

:: Psychology of Dress

:: Quakers - Study in Costume

:: Spain Costume Details

:: The Evolution of Fashion

:: The History of Fashion in France

:: Two Centuries of Costume in America

:: Women as Decoration

:: Image Library - 2000+ plates!