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What is the role of a costume designer in a theatre production? Read on and watch the videos to find out!
Costumes are super important for any performance! They help actors step into their characters, making the show even more exciting and helping you, the audience, understand the story in a fun way!
But have you ever thought about who creates the costumes and how they are created? Let’s go behind the seams to find out!
Meet Saxit and Phisit, the talented costume designers from Thailand! Together, they make an amazing team called Tube Gallery.
Not only do they create fashionable clothes, they also love creating costumes for theatre, dance, musicals, and plays. With a passion for bringing characters to life, Saxit and Phisit have been designing costumes for over 20 years!
Their creativity has taken them around the world, designing costumes for shows in Thailand, South Korea, and Singapore. In May 2024, they worked on a special play at Esplanade called Bawang Putih Bawang Merah for Pesta Raya!
Let’s find out from the duo what it takes to make costumes for the stage!
Since Saxit and Phisit are based in Thailand, they often fly to Singapore for important moments in the production, like costume fittings and bumping in, which is the final setup before the big show!
When they’re on the go, they always have essential tools for quick costume alterations and repairs—there's always something that needs fixing! With these handy tools, they can work their magic anywhere.
Curious about some of the cool tools they use and how they use it? Let’s dive in and explore!
Have you ever thought about how important costumes are in theatre? When designing them, Saxit and Phisit make sure they’re not distracting for the audience or too tricky for actors who need to change quickly between scenes. The costumes should also be eye-catching enough to make the show even more enjoyable!
So, what are some of the tips and tricks Saxit and Phisit use to create the best experience for everyone?
Now that you know more about costume designers and their role in a production, the next time you watch a show, pay close attention to the costumes. Notice how they help tell the story and bring the characters to life!
Q: As self-taught designers, how did you get into designing costumes for theatre?
Saxit: Back in 1999, we formed our label in Bangkok. We have friends and people in the theatre industry who know that we have knowledge of fashion and costumes as well as an understanding of theatre itself. These two aspects combined made it easy for us to get into costume designing for theatre.
Q: What is the most important thing you've learned from so many years of costume designing?
Saxit: You have to learn to work together as a team. In the theatre business, you are a part of a universe, you are a part of something that is going to create something special. You have to learn to work with everyone—from the director and scriptwriter to the actors, actresses, and photographers. You need to understand their points of view, demands, needs, and weaknesses, and then try to compensate as a designer to make everything visually cohesive.
Phisit: The most important thing for me is understanding that every actor and actress has their own unique character. We need to know what their figure looks like and how to best highlight their silhouette. Some features should be emphasised, while others can be downplayed.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Saxit: We draw a lot of inspiration from different cultures. When we travel, we observe how people dress—their clothing, textures, techniques, and colors. We pay attention to how everything comes together to create a unique style.
Q: Do you have any mottos that you live by?
Saxit: We are anything but minimalists! More is more.
Q: What are the challenges of working on overseas projects like this one?
Saxit: The measurements are always a challenge. With different people taking measurements, we get different numbers. Usually, we like to have a picture of the person along with their height and weight, so even if we get the wrong measurements, we can look at the photograph to estimate the correct fit.
Phisit: For me, the biggest challenge is the shoes. Almost every actor and actress struggle with them. For example, on the set of Bawang Putih Bawang Merah, the stage was very slippery, and the shoes we brought didn’t grip well, making it even more difficult for the performers.
Saxit: Sometimes, we aim for beauty, but just looking good isn’t enough for the stage. It has to be a balance—50-50. The costumes need to look great, but they also need to function well for the performers.
Q: Any advice for someone who would like to become a costume designer or join the industry?
Saxit: I’m actually a part-time lecturer in theatre and costume design in a university in Thailand. I always tell my students that this field offers a wide range of opportunities. From theatre to television, film, concerts, celebrity styling, and even advertising—there’s so much work you can explore. You just have to be open-minded and willing to give it a try.
