Book Review: Costumers at Work

I’m so excited for this new book, Costumers at Work, by Madeline Taylor. 

This book is an ethnographic analysis of the processes by which professional theatre costumes are created, but arguably also sociological and philosophical analysis contribute to the work. I admit upfront that I am not well-versed in the fields of ethnography, sociology, and philosophy, but I have worked in the field of costume production for professional entertainment for nearly 30 years, so that’s the standpoint from which I speak about this title.

The book has an Australian focus and a global scope. As an American and an author who has published in the field of contemporary costume production, I found this a thrilling read, and how frequently the author cited works by colleagues, people I know, and groups I am a part of such as Costume Professionals for Wage Equity.

This is not a quick read. Every chapter has citations within the text and an endnote bibliography of worka cited. The information is fascinating but dense, and thankfully, the chapters are divided into subsections. I read it very slowly, one or maybe two subsections a day. If you are a visual person, it has excellent Infographics & photographs to augment the text. 

I am excited because it contributes to scholarship beyond the insular world of theater and illuminates aspects of our craft that I can say, as someone who practices it, we frequently bemoan that people don’t know about or understand what we do on a granular level.