Friday 18 - Sunday 20 September, 9 - 5.30 p.m.: Symposium, Costume Symposium at Wimbledon College of Arts

Wimbledon College of Arts, Merton Hall Rd, London SW19 3QA, United Kingdom

The Costume Symposium is a unique gathering for costume makers, designers, students and industry professionals working across film, theatre, television and opera. Founded by award-winning costume designer Susannah Buxton and lecturer and event producer, Mary Davies, the symposium was inspired by a similar event in Oslo and established to support the exchange of specialist skills, knowledge and professional practice within the costume industry.

Since its launch in 2018, the symposium has travelled across the UK, bringing together practitioners at leading institutions including the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Nottingham Trent University and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. In 2026, the event returns to London at Wimbledon College of Arts.

Event Description
In 2017 award-winning costume designer Susannah Buxton was invited to speak at a costume symposium for young technicians and designers held at the Opera House in Oslo, Norway. The experience inspired her to set up a similar event in the UK, with Mary Davies, with the aim of bringing together costume makers and designers working in film, theatre, television and opera, as well as costume students, for a day with industry speakers and two days of practical workshops led by experienced tutors, in the skills so vital for maintaining the UK’s reputation for outstanding work. Makers especially often work alone and the symposium offers the chance to network and hear about current issues related to the costume industry. 

The first UK Costume Symposium was held in London in June 2018, followed by others at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, University of Huddersfield, Nottingham Trent University and Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

In 2026 the symposium returns to London, at Wimbledon College of Arts. Future events will continue to be held in different parts of the country each year. Visitors from the original symposium in Oslo have attended the UK event several times.

Costume Maker and Tailor Jane Dalgarno, Men’s Workroom Manager at the Royal Ballet and Opera (formerly the Royal Opera House) will be one of the Talks day speakers, with others to be confirmed. Jane is integral to bringing theatrical designs to life, leading the production of intricate period costumes for major ballet and opera productions. There will also be a Costume Demonstration, a panel discussion on AI and Costume, and time for networking. 

Two days (Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September) of hands-on workshops offer the chance to try out a new skill with expert tutors: Sean Barrett (Millinery), Gillian Carew (Women’s Period Tailoring), Michele Carragher (Embroidery Embellishment), Naomi Isaacs (Cutting on the Stand – new this year), Enda Kenny (Dyeing and Enhancement), Kunza (Corsetry) and Lucy Sturley (Costume Making for Stop Motion Animation). 

Register here for the Costume Symposium 2026

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