CMU School of Drama


Wednesday, October 08, 2025

Inside costume house Cosprop, cinema’s ‘dressing up box’

Wallpaper*: Stepping inside Cosprop’s headquarters, discreetly located in a former garage on Holloway Road, north London, is like walking into a colossal dressing-up closet. There are boxes on top of boxes, from floor to ceiling, filled with fabric samples, ribbons, lace trimmings, buttons and beads. In a room with alcove shelving laden with shoes, bags, parasols, canes, and umbrellas, regal hats sit nonchalantly on top of various display heads.

1 comment:

Maya K said...

I really enjoyed reading this article because it offered such an inside look into the world of professional costume design. Cosprop’s dedication to authenticity and historical accuracy is impressive, especially considering how much the industry has changed over the past 60 years. I liked learning how John Bright approaches costumes as real clothing rather than just decorative pieces, which helps actors fully embody their characters and bring depth to their performances. It was also really cool to read about how Cosprop continues to adapt to modern challenges, like utilizing high-definition cameras, new materials, and even addressing the impact of AI, while still maintaining its traditional craftsmanship and artistry. That balance between innovation and preservation is what makes their work so unique and inspiring. Reading this reminded me how much storytelling depends on small, thoughtful details, and how clothing are a powerful way to show emotion, history, and identity as well.