Attention, please! The "Post-Mortem" meeting for Costume College 2008 will be held at Farthingales L.A., on Sunday, October 12, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. If you attended and want to reminisce, please be there. If you couldn't attend and want to hear all about it, please be there. Click on the link to the Farthingales L.A. website for directions.

The Costumer's Guild West Inc. is a community of costumers dedicated to promoting the art of costuming and needlework in all forms. Through Costume College, we present an educational forum where members can learn about the history of clothing, expressing their imagination in costuming, and creating links to the past, present, and future in the fashion arts.

Born in the science fiction community, the "CGW" has expanded its focus to include a large number of historic reenactors and masters of the performing arts. As it has evolved, the CGW has turned much of its energy to education.  Thus, for the past 14 years the CGW has produced its yearly educational conference, Costume College. As a result, the level and quality of costuming at events, such as masquerades, reenactments, and at museums has risen.

The people who make up the CGW have many things in common, but the most prevalent one is their desire to expand the imagination. Our members range from people who make no costumes whatsoever but just love the art itself, to novices, amateurs, hobbyists, and even professionals. We want to know all there is to know about costuming: how to design and make costumes, to where we can wear them. Additionally, all events the CGW produces or promotes are open to the public where we encourage dialogue between our members and all those attending these events.

Another one of our goals is to give a little back to the wider community. First, we intend to start by creating a year-round educational program. We created a scholarship in memory of our past president, Robin Pavlosky, wherein those who study costuming and costume design can apply for small grants. We have plans in the works to present our historical fashion shows free of charge to retirement and assisted care living facilities. These are just a few more ways we can reach out and bring the art of costuming to the general public.

We also try to build a bridge between the past and the present. The CGW works hard to preserve skills that would be otherwise lost. Not only should these crafts be preserved for their own sake, but we believe the techniques can be utilized in new and creative ways, which means fashion can become art. The goal of the Costumer's Guild West is to teach the way things were and inspire creation of new ideas for tomorrow. 

Because we are a non-profit organization and run with all-volunteer labor, we are always looking for a few (or more) good volunteers. If you have a special talent or skill whether costume-related or not (computer graphics, writing, theater experience, cooking, organizational, etc.), we would be happy to put your talent to use. Or, if you know someone who isn't part of the CGW but has an interest in costuming (whether just observing, learning or making), let them know about us.  Remember, the more, the merrier