About Surrey Arts Wardrobe

pink dress

We hire costumes and props to schools, groups, professional companies and private individuals – basically, anybody and everybody. Our opening hours can be found on the opening hours page. We are open during school holidays; but generally close for a few weeks August and our opening times may vary during public holidays. Please check before you visit.

The collection
History
Staff profiles
Wardrobe volunteers

The collection

The collection consists of thousands of individual items of clothing and accessories that can be combined in multiple ways to create the costume that a customer requires. Our collection is particularly strong in original 20th century daywear and we have a wide range of reproduction garments for period shows and lots more. The collection evolved as a resource for theatrical costume. We do not have any off the peg complete show costumes or set outfits for fancy dress neither we do not stock licensed costumes (for example Disney costumes). We are fantastic for finding unique outfits and creating good quality fancy dress just that little bit out of the ordinary. We have approximately 7500 items of clothing on rails and 15,000-20,000 items in boxes.

Our collection grows through donations by the general public. If you are considering donating to us please refer to our collecting policy.

Vintage Fashion

We have a very strong collection of original ladies garments from the 1950s onwards. The majority of our items are one-off pieces. The collection is biased towards smaller sizes.

lace dress

Cataloguing

The biggest project in the wardrobe at the moment is the introduction of new software and the cataloguing of the collection. We estimate that this will take us between 5 and 7 years to complete. We are using a Museums/archives package with bespoke elements so that we can use the system for our day to day processes.

This is a massive undertaking we are always looking for skilled volunteers to help with this project and other day to day roles. Please see our volunteering page for more information or contact us.

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History

The wardrobe collection started with the Surrey Youth Theatre in the late 1970's/early 1980's when after a few shows they realised they were accumulating lots of costumes that they weren't using. Various schools and amateur dramatics groups were also involved and housed their costumes with the wardrobe. These groups could hire their own costumes back for free and anything else at a reduced rate, and in exchange for housing these the costumes were available to hire to others. In this way the wardrobe started as a community resource. Since this time lots of costumes have been donated and most of the collection now belongs to Surrey County Council.

Red felt braces

Staff profiles

During your appointments you will work with our experienced and friendly staff and volunteers. We are a small and dedicated team with a passion for costume and we enjoy working closely with our customers to create the costumes they are looking for. On our staff are:

Katy May, Wardrobe Manager

Katy is a specialist in the history of dress and with a particular interest in the social history of clothing.

Emily Barratt, Senior Wardrobe Assistant,

Emily is a graduate from LIPA specialised in costume design and is experienced in costuming theatre performances.

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Wardrobe Volunteers

Amanda, Wardrobe Volunteer

Amanda has a background in costume and currently collects costumes in need of repair on a weekly basis and repairs them utilising her excellent sewing skills at home.

Sue, Wardrobe Volunteer

Sue volunteers with us here at the Wardrobe on a weekly basis, repairing and constructing costumes.

Heather, Wardrobe Volunteer

Heather is the longest serving volunteer in the wardrobe, undertaking a variety of roles from embellishing costumes for workshop projects to stepping in as a Wardrobe Assistant when required.