<Huge snip>
Things that could influence the costuming business is what movie or
television shows are popular at the time. I spoke with a lady in
London who is very big into role-playing games online. One of the
things her group loved is the HBO series Deadwood. I remember when
the series Lovesome Dove was popular and the whole fashion industry
did a swing towards Western style clothing for women. This even
took a swing into the southwestern style home furnishings. Keeping
an eye on Hollywood as to what is coming up and being the first one
to offer adapted costumes, is a great way to get your name out
there. If you watch the Hollywood rag shows like ET, Access, or get
the Hollywood magazines like Entertainment Weekly, you can follow
what is on the horizon as to what films are coming out. Vogue will
occasionally have articles about the costumes from an upcoming
film. With blogs being so popular on the web, you can find blogs
about movies that people are awaiting to come out. Someone on
h-costume mentioned a blog about the costumes from the last Star
Wars... I think it was Michaela. I went to the blog and they had
images of the costumes detailing. When I watched the film I didn't
notice some of the details that we mentioned on the blog. But after
the description, I would love to see it again, to see those details.
I have been a costume maker for 24 years and always swore I would not
make wedding dress. I was wrong - I will make "period" wedding
dresses - and these are mostly influenced by films and TV - I cannot
count the number of Mr. Darcy coats or suits I have made. Pirates of
the Caribean coats have been popular this season.
Kim, when in business you will be re-evaluating and changing your
goals as your business ages. The market changes all the time. Have
you found that you have seasons in your business? Most businesses
do. During the slow seasons you can build up stock or look to other
marketplaces that have seasons. Like when it is not Renfaires
season, look to the bridal market. I know one costumer in
California, who picks up movie sub-contracts in her off-season.
I tend to have more work toward the summer, for the many summer
schools that my customers attend. Unlike the U.S. there are not the
same kind of Faires, but summer schools, where groups learn different
dances, are popular. The one thing I do not do is build up stock
because as sure as God made little fishes, I will not be taking
orders for that style any year soon. In my own business I only make
to order. (Besides, there's all those tens of yards of cloth waiting
for me to make clothes for ME!)
<snip)
When I started out in business, I had set in my mind that there were
certain time periods that I hated. Never failed, I would get jobs
working in those time periods and I learned to respect them.
Oh, yes, I'll agree with that, but I do have "cut off" dates. I do
not make any "costume" after 1900 - I'm no good at it - or any men's
clothing after about 1850, as the tailoring becomes too complicated.
The wedding clothes I make are all based on period styles, and use
the patterns I use for the rest of my business.
Suzi (making two 18th century wedding outfits right now!!)
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