Official education path
Training takes place at specialised schools. It includes a practical entrance exam and focuses on costume history.
Top HR
Swiss professionsTextiles & Fashion
Theaterschneider/in
You create elaborate costumes for the stage and screen.
01 · Overview
What this profession is about
Theaterschneider/in turn costume designs into reality. You sew fabrics, adjust fittings, and maintain the wardrobe.
Behind the scenes of theatre and opera, magic is made from fabric and needle. You design costumes for ballet, film, and circus. You work with unusual materials and ensure every detail fits perfectly during the final rehearsal. With craftsmanship and organisational talent, you turn designs into wearable art.
FieldTextiles & Fashion
Education pathSpecialisation / Professional Function
IndustryFashion & Apparel
Swissdoc 0.825.22.0 - 0.825.9.0
02 · Salary
What you can earn
No verified Swiss salary data is available for this profession yet.
Salaries reflect Swiss market data. Range covers entry to senior. Salary reference based on Theaterschneider/in.
03 · Pathway
How to enter and grow
Swiss training pathway available in the full profile
- 🎓 Theaterschneider/in
Typical training path
Theaterschneider/in
Prerequisites
- Usually Grundbildung als Bekleidungsgestalter/in
- Career changers with proven tailoring skills are also accepted at the two Swiss schools
Requirements
- Craftsmanship
Where this can lead
Career changers with solid tailoring skills can qualify through specialised courses or industry internships.
04 · Skills & fit
What it takes
Required skills
- Craftsmanship
- Organisational skills
- Creativity
- Team spirit
Personality fit
- Swiss career path
- Career transition
- Professional growth
05 · Daily reality
What the work feels like
Typical day
You stand at the cutting table and carefully check the seams of a new costume. In between, you adjust the clothing during rehearsals. You fine-tune small details so the actors feel confident.
- You draft patterns and cut fabrics according to the costume designer's instructions.
- You work with a wide range of materials to create historical garments or imaginative costumes.
- You sew with extra durability so the clothing survives multiple performances without damage.
- You carry out embroidery when needed or add ornaments to garments.
- You assist with fittings and adjust the fit until the final rehearsal.
- You monitor the budget and ensure timely processes in the wardrobe department.
- You repair damaged parts and clean the costumes for the next performance.
- You adapt stock garments to fit the actors.
Working conditions
You work in theatre dressing rooms, opera cellars, film studios, or circus workshops. You often share your workspace with other costume makers and seamstresses.
Where to learn
- Schweizerische Fachschule für Mode und Gestaltung (Modeco)Kreuzstrasse 68, 8008 Zürich
- École professionnelle, artisanale et industrielle (EPAI) École de coutureDerrière-les-Remparts 5, 1700 Freiburg
Strengths
- Craftsmanship
- Organisational skills
- Creativity
- Team spirit
Trade-offs
- Time pressure
- Physical strain
- Shift work
- Attention to detail
06 · Similar
