Core texts to be read before the lesson:

Eicher, Joanne. 2005. "Clothing, Costume, and Dress", A–Z of Fashion, the Berg Fashion Library online, 2005. 

Evenson, Sandra, "Dress as Costume in the Theater and Performing Arts", Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion: Volume 10 – Global Perspectives, Eicher, Joanne B. (ed) Berg, 2010.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2752/BEWDF/EDch10018 

Blauson, Whitney, "Theatrical Costume", A-Z of Fashion, Berg Fashion Library online, 2005.

Discussion Questions:

• Why do some scholars want to separate costume from dress and clothing? What are the advantages of this argument? What are the disadvantages?
• What are the similarities among the three words? What are the differences?
• Discuss the points of view of the article by Evenson and that by Blauson relating to costuming. How are they similar and different?

Homework:

Select a current TV show or a movie and describe the costuming of two characters in it and how it highlights the identity of each character. How much of the costume is clothing? In addition to clothing, what distinguishes one character from another?

Core texts to be read before the lesson:

Hecht, Thomas, "Dance Costume", A–Z of Fashion, the Berg Fashion Library online, 2005.

Bethe, Monica, "Performance Dress in Japan", Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion, Volume 6 – East Asia, Vollmer, John (ed), Berg, 2010. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2752/BEWDF/EDch6064

Sciama, Lidia, "Snapshot: Carnival", Berg Encyclopedia of World Dress and Fashion, Volume 8 – West Europe, Skov, Lise (ed), Berg, 2010. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2752/BEWDF/EDch8083  

Bruzzi, Stella, "Film and Fashion", A–Z of Fashion, Berg Fashion Library online, 2005.

Discussion Questions:

• Is there a distinguishing characteristic for dance costume that differs for costume for Carnival in Italy, Japanese performances or costuming for a film?
• What are some of the reasons that costuming in a film or for the theater can influence fashion? What role does the costumer play in this influence?

Homework:

Select a current film or attend a theater production for a play or dance event. Write a two or three page summary of what you think the costumer intended to convey with the costuming for one of the major actors/dancers and contrast with one of the minor actors/dancers in the performance.

Core texts to be read before the lesson:

Blausen, Whitney, "Costume Designer", A–Z of Fashion, the Berg Fashion Library online, 2005.

Marion, Jonathan, Ballroom: Culture and Costume in Competitive Dance, Berg, 2008.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2752/9781847887115

Discussion Questions:

• In the Costume Designer article, the author states that costume design is a twentieth century profession. Discuss what you think happens in costuming characters in other cultures across the world, China and India, for example or some African cultures. Also consider earlier times, costumes in Shakespeare’s plays, for example.
• Skim through Ballroom by Marion. Discuss whether you think what the dancers wear should qualify as “dress” or “costume.” Why or why not? Discuss why you think that the way ballroom dancers, as skating dancers, also emphasizes gender differences in their outfits?

Homework:

If you were assigned to be a costumer/costumier for a play, how would you go about deciding how to figure out the costumes for the actors or dancers? Would this be a different process for performances that were Western or non-Western? How would you go about deciding how to dress ballroom dancers?

Attend a local play or dance performance, either professional or amateur, and analyze the costuming. Ask to interview the costumer/costumier about his or her ideas for the costuming and write a summary for class discussion.