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.
  • Build your own fashion + costume folio, including sketches, mood boards, fabric samples, and design notes.
  • 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).
  • Work on a final showcase project: design a costume or outfit for a character or for yourself, expressing a theme, identity, or message.
  • Take part in class discussions, peer 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 can develop your ideas, reflect on your personal design style, and prepare for your final showcase.

Key tasks include:

  • Historical or character-based research task
  • Costume element and garment construction pieces 1 & 2
  • Design folio with sketches, notes, and samples



Which VCE subject does this subject lead to? 



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