Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of CGW?

• To serve the community at large which includes, but is not limited to, the State of California.
• To promote the educational, cultural, literary, artistic and theatrical advancement of costume design and construction, and the influence of clothing, fabrics, technology and design upon societies and cultures, as well as the effects of the mores of societies and cultures upon the choice of costume design, colors and fabrics in the community at large.
• To promote community goodwill toward the costuming community by providing informational, technical, and research assistance to schools, theatrical groups, and other public and private institutions and organizations.
• To provide a public forum for the discussion of costume, clothing, and other related subjects through publications, conferences, and other special projects and activities in the community.

When was the Costumer's Guild West formed? 1987

Who started it? A group of costumers from the science fiction community who were looking for support and education, rather than the traditional science fiction masquerade competitions.

When was the first Costume College? 1994

Who are some of the past Deans? Janet Wilson Anderson, Natalie Meyer, Laura Rico, Lana Bailey, Robin Pavlosky, Darla Kruger, Corinne Pleger, Maegen Hensley, Jess Miller, Colleen Crosby.

What were some of the themes of past Costume Colleges?

• The Middle Ages
• The Edwardian Age
• The Bustle Era
• The Jazz Age (2006)
• Crinolines 1840 - 1860 (2007)
• The Regency (2008)
• The 18th century (2009)
• Steampunk (2010)