The heart of Costume College is the classes. We provide lectures, panels, demonstrations, and workshops on every kind of costuming subject. We always bring back many favorite classes from past Colleges, and feverishly work every year on all sorts of new subjects. We cover a wide range of subject matter including historical, science fiction, fantasy, theatrical, and crossover topics. Additionally, we offer an extensive selection of courses targeting the beginner, amateur, enthusiast, semi-professional, and professional costumer.
MARKETPLACE
Our Marketplace is where you will be able to find patterns, books, trims, beads, jewelry, notions, costume accessories, and much, MUCH more. The shopping begins on Friday afternoon and doesn't end until College is over. If you are unable to join us for the entire weekend, you are more than welcome in the Marketplace - membership in Costume College is not required to shop with our many and varied vendors.
TIME TRAVELER'S GALA
A costume-encouraged event, the Time Traveler's Gala is a sit-down dinner and dance on Saturday night featuring music from historical to frivolous to rock and roll. Put on your party clothes and join us as we dance the night away. Formal wear of any type is requested -- your imagination is the only limit. Tickets for the Gala are sold separately from College memberships (which are not required to attend the Gala), but Gala tickets are limited and sell out quickly.
FANTASY TEA
Another costume-encouraged event, the Sunday Fantasy Tea takes place on Sunday afternoon of College, as the name indicates. This event has become quite popular and is a nice after rest from the hustle and bustle of the daily Costume College schedule. Tea, scones, sweets, and sandwiches are served at this themed Tea in a lovely room decorated for the occasion. Tickets for the Tea are sold separately from College memberships (which are not required to attend the Tea), but Tea tickets are limited and sell out quickly.
TOURS
In the past we have visited such locations as the Disney Costume Shop, Western Costume, the fabric shopping district in Downtown Los Angeles (considered one of the biggest in the world), Universal Studios Costume Shop, Little India, and many more places that are feasts for the costumer's eyes. We will be returning to some of these familiar locations, but work on new locations every year to escort our members to. Our tours take place on the Thursday before College, the Friday of College and the Monday following College. A Costume College membership is required to attend the Tours.
WELCOME TO COLLEGE - ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Friday evening is our first opportunity to celebrate old friends and welcome new members into the Costume College family. Join us and meet the Guest Teachers, all our regular teachers, the committee and volunteers who have worked so hard to put Costume College together, and the other students, all of whom make Costume College such a fun event!
We're hoping some o fyou will be willing to show off the great 18th-century costuming skills you acquired thanks to 2009's bonus track classes. Did you make a set of pockets? Redecorate a pair of dance slippers? Bring it! Wear it! We'd love to see what you learned.
We'll be eating ice cream! Dress to the nines or come as you are, but please join us for an ice cream social on Friday evening at 6:30.
PANIC ROOM
With the busyness of preparing for Costume College, you may find yourself a few hours hsort of finishing your Gala or Tea costumes. Well, don't have a breakdown in your hotel room! Come to the official Panic Room to get those projects done.
On Friday night, August 6th, the Sewing Retreat Room will be open and available for those who need sewing space, moral support, a quick pep talk, answers to your questions about finishing your costumes and general sewing issues, and for those hwo need to panic. Please note: No machines will be provided, but an iron and ironing board will be on hand, as well as an experienced seamstress (or two).
So plan to get some sewing done or have a lively chat with friends. But please enjoy your refreshments befoe joining us, as food and drink will not be allowed within the room (sealed bottles welcome). We look forward to seeing you there!
SEWING RETREAT ROOM
Have you ever attended a Costume College workshop class only to have time run out with hanf an hour of sewing left on your project? Do you feel that a particular class or topic needs further discussion time? Or did your costume's side seam rip and you need a quick fix before the evening?
The solution to these dilemmas is the brand new
SEWING RETREAT ROOM.
A work space will be available for the entire weekend of College, just for you to finish a class project, ask sewing questions of other costumers, or move that lively discussion of ball gown bodices into a dedicated sewing room. You can even bring unfinished projects from previous College years to finish (since so many of us have trouble getting them done at home).
An iron and ironing board will be available and possibly other sewing fixit tools and notions. Even if you don't plan on sewing AT College, make sure to volunteer an hour or two in the Sewing Retreat Room. You never know what sort of new ideas and helpful hints you will catch by being around other costumers outside of class.
SUNDAY BARGAIN BASEMENT SALE
On Sunday morning, we host a bargain basement sale. Our members bring all sorts of items to donate and we put them up for sale. The items are sometime funny and sometimes great costuming bargains and are priced at rock bottom prices. The event is open to the public and all proceeds to go benefit the Costume College scholarship fund.
HOSPITALITY SUITE
The Hospitality Suite can be fount in the Brentwood Suite, Room 1727. We will be open Friday from 10 am to 4 pm to allow people to go the Welcome to College (see above), and then it will reopen after the ice cream social, until midnight on Friday.
We'll be open 10 am to midnight on Saturday and Sunday.
This is the place where you relax, make new friends and reconnect with friends you made last year. We will have snacks, background music and plenty of opportunity to talk. We will be giving prizes for the best in random and inexplicable categories known only to us (and probably decided on the spot). We will also have materials and directions available for anyone who wants to Steam up their costume with a pair of homemade goggles. As a new feature this year, we will be hosting the Learning Circles, so there will always be interesting conversation happening.
The theme this year, in keeping with the Steampunk track, is Famous Explorers Club. Our Formal Opening Celebration will be Friday night after the Welcome to College.
We are pleased to announce the 150th Annual meeting of the Famous Explorers Club on the evening of August 6, 2010. All Gentleperson Explorers are invited to attend to mingle and meet with fellow explorers. Members will be able to examine the mysterious contens of boxes found recently in the studies of some of our now deceased fellow explorers. Airship and balloon parking will be available, but please leave all camels in the stable. Ray Guns will be permitted but absolution No Spoons will be allowed.
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
"I'm new - Does it show?"
So, you've received the Registration Book, and read all about Costume College, but you still kind of wonder what' you're going to do once you get there. There's an air of excitement and nervousness, especially if you don't know anyone! We would know...we're relative newbies ourselves. With a mere seven years of experience between us, we understand your situation, and we want to help!
If you're like us, there might come a moment when you think "I wish I had an idea of where to start and how to go about this." We have just the place for you to begin! If you can spare an hour on Friday morning (before classes start), we can help direct you in all that is Costume College related. Come check it out!
Do you know where to go for classes and events? Pre-, post- and even non-Gala Saturday night excitement? Theme-related classs? What does this word mean? YES! We have the answers and so much more... marketplace tips, who does what, and how we managed to get ourselves this involved so young in our College careers! Let our knowledge of Costume College be yours.
Freshman Orientation will take place Friday morning at 8:00 am, hosted by Jennifer Mulvey (Programming Chair) and Elizabeth McCash (Volunteers Coordinator)
SUNDAY NIGHT "SCHOOL'S OUT" PARTY
Once again, we offer a party in our Hospitality Suite as part of your College membership. It's the last night of Costume College and everyone wants to come visit and talk about all the exciting things you've learned and all the wonderful new friends you've made. The "School's Out" party offers a selection of nibbles and soft drinks, and a place to put your feet up and wind down after the fabulous weekend you've had.