Our Costume and Props cupboard offers a variety of costumes and props from past artsUCL productions and newly sourced items.

We encourage a sustainable approach to theatre making, and we hope that utilising the Costume and Props cupboard plays an important role towards achieving this.

Below are more details about how to book an appointment to borrow items, return items and our donations policy.

Appointment Policies:

  • artsUCL productions are able to access the artsUCL Costume Cupboard by appointment and borrow costume pieces for the duration of their production's run. 
  • Costume Cupboard access hours are between 2:00pm and 3:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays – please contact Praise at [email protected] to arrange an appointment. 
  • All items borrowed will be logged in our inventory list.
  • Please note that the Costume Cupboard will only be available during Term time.

Return Policies:

  • All items are to be returned within 14 days after the end of your production run. You will be contacted at the end of your production to remind you of your return policy.
  • Access hours for returning costumes are between 2:00pm and 3:00pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays – please contact Praise at [email protected] to arrange an appointment. 
  • All items must be returned in the same condition that they were in when borrowed and will be marked off on our inventory list as returned.

Donations Policies:

Below is guidance for the costume cupboard donations. We are moving towards taking the steps to a more conscientious approach with items being stored in the costume cupboard to ensure that there is not an overflow of unused, damaged or extreme fast-fashion quality items.

*Before arranging to donate costume & props, please read the following donation policy.

Here are a list of items that we would consider storing in the costume cupboard for them to be reused:

  • Versatile pieces: plain shirts, skirts, or jackets that can be styled in different ways or used as a base for many costumes.
  • Character uniforms/costumes: any high-quality character costumes that have not been damaged or stained when used that could be reused in another production (e.g. period jacket, police uniform etc).
  • Any well-made items that could be upcycled, altered, or reused for future events, even if they're a specific style (e.g., a great-fitting period jacket, traditional cultural attire or upcycled modern dress).

We won't be storing any items that are:

  • Damaged goods, Anything with permanent stains, large holes, stretched-out fabric, or a musty smell that can't be cleaned.
  • Light polyester material that is usually single-time use such as tights or single-use items
  • Tangled/discoloured jewellery, any costume jewellery that's turned green or is a tangled mess. 

Please contact us in advance listing what items you would like to donate to the costume cupboard, if there are items that we reject, here are alternative ways for the items to be repurposed instead of throwing them away as waste:

  • Donate: send only good-condition items to local theatre groups, or second-hand stores for reuse.
  • Upcycle/Repurpose: use fabric scraps for other projects, or turn a plain item into something new. 
  • UCL Clothes Swap: you can use the items in the clothes swaps that are hosted every other month in the SU.

If you would like to discuss any further details regarding our Costume & Props cupboard, please contact Praise at [email protected] (artsUCL Production Coordinator)

Last updated 1 week ago