About the programme
The Costume Craft Programme is a fully funded, intensive educational opportunity that delivers a sustainable and interdisciplinary approach to developing skills for the costume making industry.
Through the generous support of Amazon MGM Studios, the programme covers all tuition, materials, and travel required for work experience. In addition, students receive a monthly bursary of £1,500 (+£300 extra p/m for London accommodation) to support the cost of living throughout their studies.
The programme takes place at The King’s Foundation buildings at Trinity Buoy Wharf in East London. It focuses on hands-on craftsmanship and technical production skills craft skills relevant to the costume industry. The craft forms include:
- Leather craft skills
- Embroidery
- Natural dyeing and fabric care
- Sewing and construction techniques tailored to screen and stage costume
- Wool / natural fibre knowledge
- Weaving and Passementerie loom work
- Principles of Harmony
- Mentorship programme from industry experts
- Sustainable practice within costume making
- Business skills
Key dates
Course dates: September 2026 – May 2027
Application deadlines
- Application closing date: Sunday 14th June 2026, 5pm
Interview dates: 14th & 15th July 2026 (applicants that have successfully progressed onto the interview stage will hear by Monday 29th June)
Please note interviews will take place at Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London.
The course start date is Monday 21st September 2026.
Teaching and learning
The programme is studio-based, and we require students to have a collaborative approach to teaching and learning. As this is a fully funded postgraduate-level programme, provided through the generosity and support of Amazon MGM Studios, we have high expectations regarding studentship, studio etiquette, productivity and outcomes.
Taught sessions will encourage students to develop their own learning style, create new ideas and learn specialist techniques, as well as featuring group discussions and tutorials. Peer-on-peer support and a positive, collective learning experience are essential requirements of students.
Students will be given the opportunity to reflect upon gained knowledge and skill training during personal tutorial sessions. We encourage students to reflect on their achievements and performance through on-going personal evaluation.
Tutorials, critiques and/or work reviews form an integral part of the programme, and students will see a variety of guest tutors throughout the programme. Students will be supported by a project manager, throughout the duration of the programme.
Self-directed sessions are scheduled throughout the programme and should be used effectively. Students are encouraged to prioritise and time-manage their own learning schedule around the timetabled schedule.
Programme structure
The Costume Craft Programme is divided into two main phases, spanning September 2026 to May 2027:
Phase One – September 2026 – December 2026
Students develop a broad range of technical and craft skills relevant to the costume industry. These include sewing production for screen and stage, traditional embellishment techniques, surface decoration, and dyeing.
This phase will also include hands-on experience working on TV and film productions with Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video.
Phase Two- January 2027 – May 2027
The programme culminates in an independent project based on Amazon MGM scripts, where students design and produce a costume-led outcome that reflects their specialisms and personal interests to be exhibited in London at the end of the course.
What the programme includes
- Specialist skills training from The King’s Foundation tutors.
- The opportunity to develop a unique portfolio, designed to improve your technical dexterity, skill, accuracy and design development.
- Industry visits and research days to gain inspiration from the Dumfries House Estate and explore UK costume and textile heritage.
- Access to well-equipped studios, materials and intensive, expert tuition by various established industry specialists and educators in the UK.
- Opportunities to develop your personal career plan and further refine your portfolio and presentation skills for a career in the Costume Industry.
- Application of textiles and sewing techniques to a professional standard.
- A bursary of £1,800 per month towards the cost of living.
Location
Trinity Buoy Wharf
The duration of the programme will be held at our inspiring London riverside location in a dynamic and creative community at Trinity Buoy Wharf, Docklands.
You will be required to relocate to London for the duration of the programme. There will be travel weeks to the Kings Foundation headquarters at Dumfries House in Scotland and travel and accommodation will be provided for these trips.
How to apply
Applications can be made via our online application form.
This programme is for recent graduates within the last three years from courses at Degree / HND level within the following focus:
- Theatre Costume
- Textiles
- Fashion Technology
We particularly welcome applications from those living and working outside of London, particularly from individuals based in the North East of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
We would be keen to see applications from underrepresented groups and those from socially-disadvantaged areas.
Priority will be given to those who intend to continue their careers within the UK-based industry to help support the growth of the UK film and TV industry.
Applicants are required to complete:
- Digital application form
- Submit a short video
- Written submission
- Upload your digital portfolio.
What to include in your short video:
- Your short video should be an introduction of yourself, your practice and your personality.
- Your video should be a summary of your application and outline why you are interested in pursuing or developing a career in Costume and are committed to undertaking an intensive training programme.
- We would like you to talk through a key piece from your portfolio, reflecting on technical process, design development and creative influences.
- We would like you to outline areas of technical skill and design that you would like to develop and how you feel this programme could assist with your future career development.
- We recommend you record your video on a laptop or a phone while sitting at a desk, somewhere well-lit and quiet.
- Face forward and look into the camera.
- If you are using notes, try to use these as prompts rather than reading a script.
- Try to be relaxed and show us your personality.
- Please send this to us as an MPEG 4 video file, via We Transfer to future.textiles@kings-foundation.org
- Please ensure your name is in the title of the video and mark your email Costume Craft Programme.
What to include in your written submission:
Please include a short-written submission that shares with us your favourite piece of literature – a book, play, poem or song.
Please include:
- Why you have chosen this particular piece
- Which character you would create a costume for
- How you interpret the character through costume in terms of silhouette, movement, colour, texture and material
What to include in your digital portfolio:
Your portfolio should include 15–20 pages showcasing your, inspiration, creative process, technical skills, and final projects.
- Your portfolio should have a clear visual identity that reflects your personal style
- Include examples of your research. This can extend beyond costume and include broader influences such as art, design, fashion and textiles.
- Include mood boards, photography, visualisations, and developmental work that reveal your creative journey.
- We would like to see a combination of work in progress as well as images of final outcomes.
- Your portfolio should reflect your personality and design style. Please explain any narratives and recurrent themes in your work.
- This is a professional education programme, where developing design ideas and technical skills are integral parts of the programme. The program will be an intensive learning journey and so we also would like to understand how you problem solve. We are interested to see how your work has progressed or evolved – this can be shown through a series of prototypes or unfinished costume pieces.
- Please annotate your images to explain your work, share inspiration and information.
Short list candidates
A shortlist of candidates will be selected by a panel of The King’s Foundation Directors, staff, and expert tutors.
Interview Process
Selected applicants will be invited to attend an in-person interview.
Location: Trinity Buoy Wharf, 64 Orchard Place, London, E14 0FG
Interviews will include:
- A 40-minute portfolio presentation
- Presentation of one costume piece
- A tour of the studios
- A Q&A session with the panel
The interview panel will consist of tutors and staff from The King’s Foundation.
