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What is it and why should I do it?

Are you interested in fashion, theatre, cosplay, storytelling, or design? This creative elective examines how clothing can be used to express identity, build character, and tell stories, whether on stage, in film, or in everyday life.

You’ll explore the world of costume and fashion design, where culture, history, and personal style come together. Along the way, you’ll gain hands-on skills in sewing, illustration, design thinking, and creative expression through textiles.

This subject is perfect for anyone curious about:

• Theatre and film
• Fashion and costume history
• DIY fashion and construction
• Character design
• Visual storytelling through clothing

You don’t need to be an expert drawer or sewer—just bring your ideas and a willingness to explore.

What will I do in class?

• Learn about historical costume styles and silhouettes, understanding how clothing reflects social and cultural values inherent to time and place.

• Investigate how characters are brought to life through clothing in theatre, film, and through cosplay, and explore the ways that costume is used as a storytelling vehicle onstage and onscreen.

Key tasks include:

• Historical

• and character-based research

• tasks
• Design and create a costume accessory or element using embellishment techniques.
• Sew a simple wearable costume garment (e.g., a cape, skirt, vest, or hat).
• Build your own costume folio, including sketches, mood boards, fabric samples, and design notes.

You will also take part in class discussions, critiques, and reflective journaling.

How do I satisfactorily complete this unit?

You’ll be assessed through a mix of practical tasks, research, and creative folio work, completed mostly during class time. At home, you may develop your ideas, reflect on your personal design style, or prepare and source components for your costume design pieces.

Which VCE subject does this subject lead to? 

VET MST20616 Certificate II in Applied Fashion Design and Technology

VET MST20722 Certificate II in Apparel, Fashion and Textiles

Depending on your folio piece it can also lead to VCE Product Design and Technology, VCE Art Making and Exhibiting and/or VCE Art Creative Practice.

It also connects well to:

• Drama and Theatre Studies
• Media and Film Studies
• Careers in fashion, costume design, theatre production, film and TV, and more.

PHSC Wiki Space:

Yr10 Costume