COSTUME COLLEGE FAQS
Costume College® is an annual three-day educational conference produced by Costumer’s Guild West, Inc. to provide educational classes, programs, and tours covering all aspects of costuming. Costume College is currently held at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles Hotel, Los Angeles, CA. This is a marvelous facility, with lots of classrooms, sleeping rooms and plenty of space for Costume College to grow.
This page covers general Costume College frequently asked questions. We also have FAQs for:
If you don’t find the answer to your question or need more detailed information, please contact us.
How do I attend Costume College?
Purchase a membership and join us in Los Angeles, CA! The annual conference is traditionally held in either late July or early August.
Can I get college credits for Costume College?
Costume College is not an accredited college. Costume College is simply the name of the three-day costuming arts conference produced by Costumer’s Guild West, Inc. There are no credits given by Costume College, and there is no official application to an accredited school any of our students could use to apply to their formal education.
Is there a campus for Costume College?
No – Costume College is a three-day costuming arts conference which takes place at a hotel, as many conferences do.
Where does Costume College take place?
Costume College is held at the Sheraton Gateway Los Angeles, Lost Angeles, California.
Can I come to Costume College if I’m not a Member of Costumer’s Guild West, Inc.?
Yes. Costume College is open to everyone. However, to receive a discount on your Costume College registration fees, Time Traveler’s Gala ticket(s) and/or Fantasy Tea ticket(s) you must be a member of Costumer’s Guild West.
Do I need to register for Costume College to get into the Time Traveler’s Gala or Fantasy Tea?
No, tickets for the Gala and Tea are sold separately. You may attend either event by buying a ticket for that event. See the Gala and Tea sections for more information or contact our registrar at [email protected].
Do I need to register for Costume College to go into the Marketplace? Is there a separate charge for the Marketplace?
The answer to both is no. The Costume College Marketplace (Vendor’s Room) is open and free to the general public as well as to our College attendees. Everyone is welcome! We do sell “Early bird” tickets to the Marketplace, so you can be the first one in on Friday afternoon. The Early bird tickets are available on site at the Information Desk. Early bird ticket purchase price goes to the Costume College Scholarship Fund.
Do I need to register for Costume College to go into the Trunk Show? Is there a separate charge for the Trunk Show?
Yes, the Trunk Show is only open to Costume College registered students. There is no additional/separate charge for entry.
What is the basic schedule for Costume College?
The following schedule is tentative and subject to change.
Thursday
- Information Desk – 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Check-In – 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Volunteers – 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Welcome Party – 8:00 pm to 9:00pm
Friday
- Freshman Orientation – 8:00 am to 9:00 am
- Volunteers – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Information Desk – 7:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Check-In Desk – 8:00 am to 6:30 pm
- Classes – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Early Bird Marketplace – 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm (admission by ticket purchased at Information Desk)
- Marketplace – 7:45 pm to 10:00 pm
- Friday Night Social – 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Saturday
- Volunteers – 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Check-In Desk – 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Information Desk – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Costume Exhibits – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Classes – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Marketplace – 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Time Traveler’s Gala – 6:30 pm to 12:00 am (Admission by separate ticket)
- Lounge – 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
Sunday
- Sunday breakfast – 7:00 to 8:45 am (No host)
- Lounge – 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
- Bargain Basement – 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Information/Check-In/Volunteers – 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
- Marketplace – 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
- Costume Exhibits – 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
- Classes – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Fantasy Tea – 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (Admission by separate ticket)
Monday
- LA Fabric District Tour – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Can I wear costumes at Costume College?
You can wear anything you like, so long as it’s for a PG13 audience. We do, however, discourage the wearing of costumes while attending classes, including the wearing of hoops, bustles, and panniers in classes. We want our students to be as comfortable as possible: fabulous costumes can sometimes take attention away from the subject at hand; space is sometimes limited in the classrooms, and costumes can present safety hazards in certain workshops. Additionally, we advise that our attendees dress in layers, since the classrooms vary in temperature. Costumes are absolutely forbidden on the tours. Please save your costume wearing for the Tea, the Gala, and other social events occurring during the run of College.
What is the “theme” of Costume College?
The theme of Costume College is the focus of the bonus track of classes from the previous year. It is chosen each year by the Dean. Though many of our students enjoy dressing to the theme, it is not required.
I want to sell items in the Marketplace. How do I go about getting space and information?
By filling out and submitting a Vendor Application from. This form is available in January on the Marketplace page. Please note that the application must be returned to us by the date on the form. Submission of an application does not guarantee a booth. All vendors are juried in each and every year.
Are there any extra fees beyond the registration fees?
Some of the classes (workshop classes) do have extra fees, ranging from $1.00 to $85.00. You will be responsible for paying those additional class fees. These fees do not end up in the accounts of Costume College. They are strictly to reimburse the individual volunteer teacher for their costs, and go directly from you to the instructor. Also, each Tour has a separate fee, ranging from $25 to $40, which covers transportation and entrance to the tour location. The Gala and the Tea each have a separate ticket. All fees will be listed in the Registration Booklet that is posted on our website in March before Costume College registration opens.
In addition to the fees listed above, there are several things for which you may wish to have cash on hand during the conference: a few dollars to pay for handouts in lecture classes; tips for maids, valets, and bellhops if you are staying in the hotel; food and beverages, including Starbucks, no-host bar at the Gala and the Thursday Welcome Party, meals at the grab & go lunch or the hotel restaurant or the fast food and sit-down restaurants across the street; early bird Marketplace entry; on-site registration for workshop classes; raffle tickets at the gala; Bargain Basement; and shopping in the Marketplace.
How old do you have to be to register for Costume College?
Costume College does not have a minimum age requirement. However, all attendees under the age of 18 must present a signed permission form from a parent or guardian to attend. The form can be found on our website. Minor students must have a parent or guardian on the premises at all times (please see Minor Policy for further details). Adult attendees MAY ONLY PARTICIPATE IN CLASSES, LECTURES AND OTHER NON-OPEN TO THE PUBLIC COSTUME COLLEGE EVENTS IF THEY HAVE PAID FULL REGISTRATION FEES. Any attendee under 18, who wishes to attend a Tour must be accompanied by an adult (additional fees will apply).
