Costume College 2015 ~ Save Up and Join Us!

[Cilean]

Costume College's theme next year will be Literary Characters. So I implore you all to save up your money and come have a blast with us!!

Some of my friends are doing the Disney Princesses, through the 16th Century Eye, accurate as we can get it should be fun!

Gem?? Come please! All  of you who are on the west coast, it is a blast!  You can meet some of the bloggers online and typically Margo Anderson and the Lady who owns Alter years as well!!

Cilean

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Damn!

Going to Europe finally next year. Sicily, Italy, and England.

London or Costume College? London will win out. Especially the Costume Museum in Bath, going to the Tower of London and Hampton Court.

[isabelladangelo]

Unfortunately, Costume College is near the same time as Black Hat, DefCon, and Pennsic every single year.  I'll probably never get out there for it simply due to the expense.  Why spend $$$ for a weekend in garb when I can spend half that for two weeks in garb?  At Pennsic, I get options for tons of classes, way more shopping, and still get to see friends in garb.  :-)  Plus, it's only $160 for the full two weeks.

[LadyStitch]

I am going to ask a seemingly dumb question but it is an honest one.  "What is Costume College?"
For years people are talking about it but no one ever exactly explained it,  they simply looked at me with disgust that I was THAT ignorant.  If you have a momment could you tell me about it, so that maybe if it is something that I would like, I might attend.

[isabelladangelo]

It's basically a bunch of classes being hosted by fellow costumers (whose blogs you probably already read) at a hotel where everyone dresses up, has parties, and goes home after the weekend.  It's limited to about 450 people and is not cheap.   Not only are you paying for membership, the hotel, the airfare to get out there, and food - you need to have a spending budget for shopping and buses/taxis, ect.   And it's only one weekend.

I think the average cost for someone going from the east coast to CoCo is about $1000 for the one weekend...and that's if you get your membership and airfare early.  (I think about $175 + $450) 

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Some people I know who have attended Costume College from different parts of the country at least once, also had to round trip their sewing  machines and supplies to the Hotel that they would be needing. So in all, a very expensive weekend. But worth it to the hard core costumer when it came to the knowledge gained.

I have attended 2 Costume Cons and they were helpfulfl in knowledge for what I do.

[gem]

Aw, thanks, Cilean--I'd LOVE to come someday! RFer InsidiousRaven and I were tossing around the idea of rounding ourselves up to come sometime.

There is a brand-new, teeny-tiny and still *very* nascent costume con here in KC now. I think it's trying to be Costume College-like (many of the events assumed you'd be there for the 3 days and staying at the hotel, not just dropping in for a couple hours as a local), but it has a ways to go.

[Rowan MacD]

There is a brand-new, teeny-tiny and still *very* nascent costume con here in KC now. I think it's trying to be Costume College-like (many of the events assumed you'd be there for the 3 days and staying at the hotel, not just dropping in for a couple hours as a local), but it has a ways to go.

gem,
  When/where is this?

[Cilean]

Damn!

Going to Europe finally next year. Sicily, Italy, and England.

London or Costume College? London will win out. Especially the Costume Museum in Bath, going to the Tower of London and Hampton Court.

Will you be going in April? We will be in Italy then too!

[Cilean]

I am going to ask a seemingly dumb question but it is an honest one.  "What is Costume College?"
For years people are talking about it but no one ever exactly explained it,  they simply looked at me with disgust that I was THAT ignorant.  If you have a momment could you tell me about it, so that maybe if it is something that I would like, I might attend.

Costume College is an annual Convention held in Woodland Hills, CA.  We typically have between 350 to 500 people attend each year.  It is for anyone who enjoys making costumes of any type, from the past, to the future and fantasy in between.  We have people who are from Hollywood come and give tips, we had had commercial pattern makers come and speak.  If you have been online for the past decade, many of the bloggers who create historical and fantastical costuming attend this event.

This year I learned how to use Precious Metal Clay, so I was excited. 

Fridays~ The long sewing or construction Classes like: Victorian Corset, 16th Cenury Pair od Bodies, Regency Era Stays, Hat Making that sort of thing, will happen on that night, there are private parties going on all nightas well.

Saturday~ Classes of shorter nature nor more than 4 hours, then Gala parade of costumes begins at 6ish, those who paid for the Gala dinner go into to that and after this there is dancing and fun happening from about 8:30 and beyond.  This is also the time you can have your photos taken by the professional!

Sunday~ Bargain basement!  Bring something you don't use and see if someone has left you a special! Proceeds go to our Scholarship fund, then it is time for breakfast and Underwear parade!  More Classes and Time Traveller's Tea is held. 

Monday~ Tours of LA Garment District, Hollywood Costume Designers, FDiM, and it is all ended!

It is way more than I can put forth here!  I hope no one gives you the sour look because we strive to get new people involved every year!  This year we had 154 new people to CoCo and it was so much fun!


ww.costumeCollege.org

http://photos.theshotwellcollection.com/costumecollege

Cilean

[Cilean]

 
Costume College is a grand vacation, we have people coming from all over the country and the world.  Some from England, and we had two from Cameroon, Africa, and even Brazil.  Many bring their significant others, who are not costumers, and then go out and enjoy South California's many attractions.

Many of the teachers such as myself, have blogs- but people know theirs way more than mine! LOL  There is a theme each year, this year was "Accessories" and so loads of pretties were created with emphasis to completing the look.

Costume College is not expensive, if you share your room, I have 3 other people so our cost is $140 per person.  Food of course is extra, but there is a fully equipped mall across the street!   We do not have a limitation on how many can attend. Next year it is Famous Literary Characters, I still teach about the 16th Century, because people keep asking about it! 

So it is expensive? Yep I guess it is if you are not here in California, but even if this is a once in a lifetime thing, I do suggest you try it!  I go to England and Spain and other parts of Europe every other year, and I can still attend Costume College, if it is a priority it will happen.

It is so much fun to speak with people who understand why you have a stash, or you will see someone who will spark inspiration! 

I honestly suggest you all attempt to get out here one day, so you can see what we love about it!!!

Cilean