Costume College 2016 just ended. If you don’t know about it, it is a 3+ day annual conference held in the Los Angeles area and is for all costumers wanting to “up their game” through learning and being challenged by others.
I’ve been attending since 2000 and been teaching since 2004. This year, my plans changed. After 15 years of trying with my husband, I became pregnant with our first child – due a mere three weeks before this year’s event. After vain workarounds I realized I should not attend but instead focus on my new baby and dream of the costumes I want to make next.
So as I sat this past weekend glued to Facebook and Instagram marveling at the wonderful creative costumes I was seeing in gorgeous photos and snapshots, I realized there were a number of things I learned by NOT running around crazy for the month of July in preparation.
Costume College is run on volunteers. They start working on next year’s weekend before this year’s event is over. I’ve volunteered my time over the years by working on the committee and giving of hours while at the event itself.
But it’s my teaching where I put in most of my time. I love it. And I am humbled to be considered one of the familiar faces at Costume College that people look up to and admire.
I compiled this list of thoughts mainly from that experience (of course).
But also now seeing it from the point of view of someone who’s never attended; someone who’s been interested in the event but feels unworthy; a newbie to costuming; or someone simply intimidated by the other attendees despite having decent talent themselves.
I’ve Learned/Discovered…
– There is an amazing amount of stress that goes into the prep. Like, a ton. Like, where your sleep and eating schedule gets thrown out of whack (aka becomes non-existent).
– If we aren’t continuing to learn, the enthusiasm & inspiration can disappear quickly. Doesn’t mean your talent goes away but rather your motivation for it does.
– Our skills diminish when we don’t challenge them every so often. Aside from the “regular” costumes I make for Costume College, every couple of years I do a BIG project that challenges me. This year, because I didn’t attend, I feel my skills are kinda rusty.
– I didn’t have to scrape up the extra money to both attend the weekend and spend for new costumes. (Cause goodness knows our costume habit is expensive!)
– We need to stay connected to others in the costuming world. Events help us do this. Costume College is just one of them. Others exist too.
– There’s this unspoken hierarchy (at Costume College), and if you aren’t on that particular ladder then your stuff (costumes, crafts, accessories, etc) isn’t good enough for CoCo. (I say “hogwash” to that as anyone can attend no matter their ability…. But I do feel the event is sometimes “clique-ish”.)
– Those with the most detailed or expensive-looking costumes get all the glory and attention. Cynthia at Redthreaded did it this year – and she was all fabulousness for sure! (But what about that person (could be anybody) who spent 50 hours on her costume and is most proud of it yet no one wants to photograph it?)
Edit: I think those with the attention-getting costumes really do inspire us. But there’s something innate in ALL of us that needs to have our work appreciated. To be recognized. Some people take this in stride and others get deeply jealous when someone outshines us. At Costume College this can be especially true… and dangerous. I’m quite aware of this and have seen it even more in depth based on this year’s promotion of a few select ensembles. We need to remember that everyone is on this costume journey at different points and with differing goals. To have “the best” costume at the event, start recognizing others and the efforts they’ve put into what they are wearing. We all have something to learn and something to share.
– Pulling that old costume from the back of the closet because it’s the only thing that fits and you didn’t have time to make something new is perfectly acceptable. 🙂
– For someone just starting out the whole event feels intimidating and they could feel they are not worthy to attend even though the basis of the weekend is to learn more about costuming and improving your skills.
Costume College was founded as a learning conference. A place to expand your skills and knowledge in all aspects of costuming. It still has its three full days of programming. But somehow the finished costumes showing up at the gala, tea and social diminish the true foundation of this unique event.
– You make less sewing mistakes when not pushed so hard for a deadline, you have enough sleep, and don’t feel the pressure to live up to other’s expectations in the costuming world. (But then sewing on the way to an event wouldn’t be as exciting – ha!)
– Repurposing old costumes – either wearing them again with different accessories or disassembling them to create a new costume – is awesome. It should be done more often.
– It’s ok to branch out from the usual historical wardrobe and do something different, fun, challenging and non-historical. Creating my Hunger Games Capitol costume in 2012 showed me that creating something out of your normal zone inspires your creativity even more. 🙂
– Start planning your costumes early. Like now. Like 10 months ahead of time. And include or design out your accessories too. Spend the last three weeks before College finishing your sewing – not scrambling to buy that tiara from China or spending gobs of money for express shipping on a pair of shoes.
– Themes for a costume event – whether a specific topic or decade or time period – really help you plan costume ensembles, especially if you are design deficient (meaning you don’t design well).
– At Costume College you can go “off book” and not follow the themes at all. You’ll still get to have fun.
– When an event has been such a part of your life for so long (for me at CoCo that’s 17 years), you truly, deep down, miss your friends when you can’t attend. You miss the (mostly) annual connection. You grieve a bit for the time away from socializing with those who “get” you; those who are your tribe; those who inspire you from deep within.
– I’ve learned I need to up my own costume skills and depth of projects…. And I kinda thought I was up there for inspiring others in their costuming. I feel unworthy compared to some of the creativity and art that I’ve seen at the 2016 event.
– The Costume College weekend goes faster than you think (or that you’d like). Therefore, make the costumes YOU want to make. Life is too short to follow the crowd… unless that IS what you want to do.
– The learning and making and wearing of costumes brings us together for this marvelous event. The friendships we make keep us coming back. 🙂
For more info on Costume College visit here.
Read my follow up posts on the event in years past here: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
Is there something like CoCo but for the 18th century? What are the other events like CoCo out there?
Costume College covers ALL aspects of costuming from historical to fantasy, undergarments to accessories. All time periods and genres are included. There’s really nothing like the event. It takes hundreds of hours from many volunteers over a full year for each event which began in 1991. There have been other tries at creating similar events elsewhere but none have lasted. The established Jane Austen events around the world are probably the closest you’ll get to 18th century exclusively.
Thank you for your good words – I also missed the College this year, but for different reasons. Your comments about dressing for the weekend are spot on – and planning ahead – again spot on. Even though the actual themes for the various gatherings haven’t been stated yet, it’s never too early to get started. You can never have enough petticoats, chemises, and accessories. There are so many of us who love the challenge of constructing period attire or cosplay attire just for the sheer fun of it. Not to impress anyone, but just because it’s enjoyable. Many people don’t get that , and that’s okay. I look forward to attending the 2017 College and meeting new people, learning new things and just being in the same company of so many others who enjoy with the same spirit the whole endeavor. Be well and hope to see you next year….
Thank you so much for this post, it really speaks to me! I stumbled upon your website through the good-ol Google machine recently and have been greatly enjoying it here. I’ve always wanted to attend CoCo but frankly I’ve been horribly intimidated! I do some 16th century costuming but most of my time is spent on projects of the Cosplay variety (which definitely adds to the CoCo anxiety). I’m hopeful that sometime in the next couple of years I can ‘get over it’ and experience this event!
Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for such a kind and incisive look at Costume College. Not sure I’ll be able to attend until years from now — family and other issues keep me from much travel — but am keen on the concept and the sharing that goes on. That’s one of the things that makes costuming the fun it is.
Thank you for reaching out to us with a consistently warm and encouraging tone; it’s one of the reasons I quietly read your bog with such pleasure. It’s good for the soul :}
Very best,
Natalie in KY
Glad to have you in our Joyful Community Natalie – even in the background! Hope to one year see you at CoCo. 🙂
I’d love to go to CoCo but the thought leaves me terrified. I’ve been so thoroughly snubbed at other events I just couldn’t stomach the thought of shelling out a ton of money, all the travel, and being crushed under someone’s perfectly period heel. I got reamed at a Civil War reenactment for having the gall to wear my medicalert bracelet. No, I think I shall admire from afar, thanks, too intimidating.
So sorry you feel that way Shawna. Unfortunately you are not alone. Attendees, both old and new, have been in deep discussion this week on the Costume College Facebook group about how to make newbies feel less intimidated and more welcome. We have some wonderful ideas to put forward in the coming years.
P.S. How atrocious that someone would get on you for wearing a medical bracelet! It’s still a hobby even if you are trying to teach history. People’s health should not get pushed aside.
Shawna, I am so sorry that happened to you! I hate to be the one to say it, but Civil War reenactors tend to be the absolute worst for snarky mean comments, esp about authenticity. It would be extremely unlikely, in my experience, to find that kind of crappy attitude at Costume College.
I saw so many beautiful outfits this year, and ones that so far I haven’t seen photos of. Sadly I didn’t have much time to take any myself, nor have the forethought AGAIN to hand my camera to someone and get nice photos of my own gowns. I too have felt like no one is taking photos of all the hard work I put into my dresses, and was outshined by others.
There are so many levels of expertise and we all had to start at the bottom sometime. I think we need that affirmation that what we are doing is wonderful and it encourages you to keep climbing higher.
Also going to an event is what gets my inspirational juices flowing. By the second day my brain was already planing, as exhausted as I was, on what I would start working on as soon as I got home and got some sleep.
Val
As a CoCo old-timer (over a dozen years attending & teaching), I’ve found that reasons to attend fall into 3 major areas:
#1 – learning about costumes (also, teaching)
#2 – wearing & showing off costumes
#3 – “family reunion” of costuming friends
Everyone tends to start off attending for #1, maybe with a little of #2. They might get deeper into #2 in subsequent trips, & #3 follows as they know more ppl who attend &/or more of their local or online friends attend. The ‘intimidation’ can come from seeing those who use CoCo as a big spotlight time to showcase their major costume creations, esp. at the Gala. Many costumers don’t have another time or place to wear something truly special (or fragile! for example, if most of your year-round costuming is outdoors (think, renfaire/SCA/Civil War), the Gala is the best time for delicate silks). The ‘cliquishness’ some experience is due to old-timers who are deep into #3 — I know I prioritize socializing w/friends I get to see once a year over everything else at CoCo.
So newcomers just need to push through, bec. one day, they’ll be the ones getting ooo’ed & ahhhh’ed over w/a zillion photos online, & they’ll have their own circle of friends they bond with once a year. That’s the way of the world 🙂
Love your thoughts here Trystan!
Thank you for the post. One of these years I will try to make it to Costume College. I am another one of those people who tend to stay in a corner and watch. From the pictures I’ve seen, I am rather intimidated. I also tend to do historical clothing for the time period I use most – 1840’s to early 1850’s. I don’t have the money or space to have several different eras of clothing.
And your historical perspective and costuming would be most welcome and fitting at CoCo if you ever choose to attend.
Very good points all. Every year that I go, I learn more, meet new people, get to know others better, and am able to push myself to improve my game. I am intrigued by historical periods I hadn’t previously considered. I learn tricks, small and large, that make my sewing life easier. More than anything, I am inspired by seeing the amazing creations and skills of others, and my enthusiasm is renewed. I like that mine will never be among the most brilliant costumes, as that means I will always have stars to reach to. Thank you to everyone involved.
Being creative in your own capacity IS reaching for the stars! Your dreams and goals are entirely different than everyone else’s. Follow your heart where it leads you. 🙂
P.S. It was Costume College that prompted me to start research on the 1830s and I found I LOVE that decade. It’s so fun to discover new time periods and techniques and even costuming realms (like cosplay or sci-fi).
All your blog entries have had a huge impact on me. I have been trying to improve my sewing skills. Your blog and few others have been so helpful and supportive (although you wouldn’t know it) with my efforts. I am still stuck on getting a nice non-pokey fitting of my corset. I learned a lot when I did petticoats – I can see all the mistakes and didn’t take your advice regarding a costume journal.
Costume College looks very intimidating. I would love it if some of the courses were available online. I would pay for that! Thank you a million times over for your blog. Congratulations on the soon to arrive little one.
Keep working on it Karen. We only get better by taking action on what we’ve learned.
And as for courses – that’s exactly a reason I started my online classes… to bring a bit of Costume College to the world. 🙂 Check out my classes I have here in my Old Petticoat Shop.
Greetings Ms. Rosbrugh! I’m a long, long time reader of your blog and the blogs of probably all of your friends at Costume College. Great points here.
But more importantly: I send my best wishes that you and baby Rosbrugh are well and happy and healthy!!
Thank you! Yes, me and Baby Girl K are both doing well.
One of these days I will actually be able to atend. Maby in two years time. A combination of living on the wrong side of the world and sever small people has been preventing me for the last 10 years.
On a side note as your baby grows in to a little girl and starts to do activities the you will see a marked improvement in your small hand sewn accessories. Cause if once a week you have to sit for an hour in a gym weighting for her to finish you might aswell do some thing useful.
I need to start re-thinking my projects to include much more hand sewing. 🙂
This year was my first year and I had a good time with it. I taught one class- US Army uniforms, 1915-18 and while it didn’t exactly hit the core audience (I never expected that it would), it was still well-received. I tend to come at this more from a fashion history perspective but it’s all good.
I didn’t know you hadn’t been before! And teaching too – well done! All aspects of costuming and fashion are welcome topics at CoCo.
Adam, I salute you. We need more classes from men who have a good perspective on the historical. Not all is technique–sometimes we need information on what was happening in the world at a certain time, and sometimes later a light bulb will go on and you realize “Oh, THAT’S why such and thus was done that way.” Hope you return and enjoy yourself in 2017.
This was my first year attending and it was great but I saw first hand what you meant about cliques. I am a complete introvert and have difficulty just starting a conversation with people. The classes were great, the people I did speak to were kind and helpful and I am looking forward to next year.
So glad you are planning on coming back Terri.
Terri, I remember being like that too at my first CoCo. The next year I was asked to volunteer when I arrived, and help unload stuff from the storage unit to bring back for setting up various things. I actually felt like I was a part of it all and BELONGED! I got to know faces, and then while working at the Check-In Desk I got to see more people, and them see me. I connected.
CoCo is run by volunteers, no paid workers. If it wasn’t for us, there wouldn’t be a CoCo. Next year when the call goes out for volunteers, DO IT! Its only 1 or 2 hrs, or more if you want. No knowledge of how everything is run is needed. They just need some extra hands, or someone to sit in a costume display room. No biggie. You will get so much more out of belonging.
I hope you will enjoy next year, and I will be working on making 2018 a really great year as Dean.
Val
I’ve not been to CoCo yet–and YES! To all of that you said/learned. Thank you!
All great points, Jennifer. I view Costume College as an event where I can learn new things, share existing knowledge with those who may be interested, meet up with friends and make new ones. Just because I’ve been sewing for 50+ years doesn’t mean I’ve learned all there is. I’ve rarely followed the theme. I wear what speaks to me and challenges me. I please me and no one else. It doesn’t matter if my dresses are photographed one time or a hundred, or not at all. That’s not why I create and wear them. I enjoy speaking with those who are interested in what I make in order to share my challenges, sewing tips, etc., not to boast. If I can inspire someone else to challenge themselves creatively, yay! If not, oh well. And you, my dear, are an inspiration to so many out there. Do not short change yourself. You inspire and support others to learn, challenge their skills, push the envelope. It’s not about setting a challenge for those that follow you. It’s about giving someone the confidence to take up a challenge on their own. One that will fulfill and teach and in the end provide immense satisfaction. You do that in spades. You are awesome!! Never forget that.
Awh.. Thanks Joy! I do hope those who attend or don’t are inspired by my work to go out and be creative themselves.
I learned a lot from your first bustle class. So much so, that I’ve improved with each dress I’ve made since. Enough to challenge myself last year to create my interpretation of the Corbay dinner dress and achieve a fantastic fit. Your lessons were indispensable.
I couldn’t go this year either, and last year was my first year. I missed it terribly.
But I’ve been spending my time really getting down into the nitty gritty and sewing my most involved dress yet. Maybe next year it will have a grand debut!
(And I can’t help but feel super proud that a photo of me has made your most illustrious blog! )
Your teal plaid 1830s is a delight! 🙂
Wonderful article and spot on…we missed you horribly…we are all family..sometimes dysfunctonal but family LOL