18 - 20 September 2026
at Wimbledon College of Arts, Merton Hall Road, London SW19 3QA
The seventh UK Costume Symposium will present three days of talks and workshops by leading costume specialists from major film and television productions, at Wimbledon College of Arts from 18 – 20 September 2026.
The Costume Symposium is run by Susannah Buxton (award-winning costume designer for film and television) and Mary Davies (film lecturer and event producer) to promote costume making and the associated skills vital to theatre, opera, film and television, and bring together designers, makers and costume students from across the country to exchange ideas, learn from experienced practitioners in the field and celebrate their art.
One of the speakers for the Talks day will be Jane Dalgarno, costume maker and tailor, who is Men’s Workroom Manager at the Royal Ballet and Opera (formerly the Royal Opera House) in London. 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 by Simon Lewis, a panel discussion on AI and costume, and time for networking.
Two days of practical workshops (Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September) will be led by Sean Barrett (Millinery), Gillian Carew (Women’s 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). The workshops offer an unrivalled opportunity for makers to develop their skills. Find out about the workshops here.
The symposium will run from 9.00am to 5.30pm each day. A sandwich lunch and tea and cake will be provided on Friday 18 September.
Registration - participant fees and deadlines
Earlybird deadline: 1 August 2026. Late deadline: 29 August 2026.
Costume students (BA and MA) are eligible for a lower rate for participant fees.
Participants in the workshops will attend one workshop running across two days.
3 day pass: Talks day plus two workshop days: 18, 19, 20 September 2026
Regular rate
Earlybird deadline 3 day pass: £330
Late deadline 3 day pass: £360
Student rate
Earlybird deadline 3 day pass: £285
Late deadline 3 day pass: £300
2 day pass: Two workshop days only: 19, 20 September 2026
Regular rate
Earlybird deadline 2 day pass £220
Earlybird deadline 2 day pass: £240
Student rate
Earlybird deadline 2 day pass: £190
Late deadline 2 day pass: £200
1 day pass: Talks day only: 20 September 2026
Regular rate
Earlybird deadline 1 day pass: £110
Late deadline 1 day pass: £120
Student rate
Earlybird deadline 1 day pass: £95
Earlybird deadline 1 day pass: £100
Registration form
Click to download registration form (Word document) – fill this in, save with your name in the file name and email to costumesymposiumuk@gmail.com
Click to download registration form (Word document) – download, print, fill this in, save with your name in the file name and email to costumesymposiumuk@gmail.com