Costume College is a three-day educational conference on all subjects relating to costuming and clothing. The Costumer’s Guild West, Inc. (a.k.a. the CGW) is the organization that yearly produces Costume College. In 2009, Costume Collegewill be held at the Airtel Plaza Hotel in Van Nuys, California, from Friday, July 31, 2009 through Sunday, August 2, 2009.

The Costumer’s Guild West Inc. is a community of costumers dedicated to promoting the art of costuming and needlework in all forms. Through Costume College, we present an educational forum where members can learn about the history of clothing, expressing their imagination in costuming, and creating links to the past, present, and future in the fashion arts.

Born in the science fiction community, the “CGW” has expanded its focus to include a large number of historic reenactors and masters of the performing arts. As it has evolved, the CGW has turned much of its energy to education. Thus, for the past 14 years the CGW has produced its yearly educational conference, Costume College. As a result, the level and quality of costuming at events, such as masquerades, reenactments, and at museums has risen.

Scholar and Graduate of the Costume College shares creation

The people who make up the CGW have many things in common, but the most prevalent one is their desire to expand the imagination. Our members range from people who make no costumes whatsoever but just love the art itself, to novices, amateurs, hobbyists, and even professionals. We want to know all there is to know about costuming: how to design and make costumes, to where we can wear them. Additionally, all events the CGW produces or promotes are open to the public where we encourage dialogue between our members and all those attending these events.

Another one of our goals is to give a little back to the wider community. First, we intend to start by creating a year-round educational program. We created a scholarship in memory of our past president, Robin Pavlosky, wherein those who study costuming and costume design can apply for small grants. We have plans in the works to present our historical fashion shows free of charge to retirement and assisted care living facilities. These are just a few more ways we can reach out and bring the art of costuming to the general public.

We also try to build a bridge between the past and the present. The CGW works hard to preserve skills that would be otherwise lost. Not only should these crafts be preserved for their own sake, but we believe the techniques can be utilized in new and creative ways, which means fashion can become art. The goal of the Costumer’s Guild West is to teach the way things were and inspire creation of new ideas for tomorrow.

Because we are a non-profit organization and run with all-volunteer labor, we are always looking for a few (or more) good volunteers. If you have a special talent or skill whether costume-related or not (computer graphics, writing, theater experience, cooking, organizational, etc.), we would be happy to put your talent to use. Or, if you know someone who isn’t part of the CGW but has an interest in costuming (whether just observing, learning or making), let them know about us. Remember, the more, the merrier.

Learn more about the offerings at the 2009 costume college

This year, the Costume College has a broad variety of classes available to attendees. You can peruse their catalog for additional information and details on registration.

Scholarships are offered to students

Costume College Scholarships

By now you have heard that Scholarships being are available for Costume College®. But you might not be aware of the different types of Scholarships, where the money comes from to fund them or how you can go about applying for or winning one of them. There are two different types of Scholarship to begin with and the Scholarship Application Form lists various reasons why someone might be granted one of them. Visit the Costume College site to find out detailed information on these scholarships and how you might qualify for the College’s support.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis: (1) so that the individual may be rewarded for their service to the organization; (2) be assisted due to hardship; or (3) (if beginning their costumer’s journey) be exposed to resources, gain experience and be encouraged in their costuming life.

Scholarship Overview

First – the types of Scholarships available are “Tuition Scholarships” and “Full Scholarships”. The Tuition Scholarship is the basic, more usual form and pays for your College Registration. This gets you in the door to be able to attend classes. The Full Scholarship is the newer type and includes not just your tuition but also a ticket to both the Gala and the Fantasy Tea, as well as 2 nights at the hotel. Two of these were donated thanks to the generousity of benefactors who choose to remain anonymous. One of them has been awarded. Also, the Board has since instituted an ongoing Full Scholarship in Memory of Robin Pavlosky, a long-time member of the Guild, Past President, Past Dean and a hard working Programming Chair for many years at College. Robin passed away far too young, in 2001, and we would like to honor her memory and the College she was so instrumental in building by helping students participate and learn. This year there will be an additional Scholarship to honor Dennis Ming, who passed away the day before College 2008 began. Since they were not able to attend College, his friends and family donated the proceeds from the resale of their Gala and Tea tickets to fund this scholarship.

Most of the money to fund the Scholarships comes from Raffle tickets, Early Bird Marketplace tickets, and Bargain Basement sales during Costume College itself. In recent years we have received very generous donations from wonderful members. Some folks even organized a fund-raising event specifically for the Scholarship Fund.

Costumer’s Marketplace

The ladies of the Costumer’s Marketplace are pleased to promise an exciting variety of both familiar and new specialty dealers.

The Costumer’s Marketplace is always open to the general public as well as to Costume College members. (Please see hours at left.) If you have friends who will not be not attending Costume College, invite them to the Marketplace. It can be a great “first taste” that gives people a sense of what the College has to offer. Our goal for Costumer’s Marketplace is to bring together a perfect mix of costume supplies and information that will fulfill all of your costume needs, desires and dreams.

The deadline for sending in your application has passed, but please contact Cat (email below) if you’d still like to send yours in late.

If you would like to apply to be a vendor for Costume College 2009, please feel free to contact our Co-Chairs for the Marketplace, Cat Slater Woodward at blukitty@earthlink.net or (323) 733-3964 and Mela Hoyt-Heydon at missmela@aol.com or (714) 223-1455. If you send an email, please sent it to BOTH Co-Chairs, so they both know what’s going on.

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