‘Costume in circle’: An inSURgent costume-making pedagogy

This article introduces the pedagogical fundamentals of the ‘costume in circle’ methodology, which is grounded in the activation of temporary communities, collective thematic mapping, co-creation and the re-utilization of materials. To establish connections between theory and practice, it aims to align this practical costume pedagogy with referential pedagogies, discussions and artistic expressions from the Global South, such as the works of Arturo Escobar and Humberto Maturana, among others. It analyses the workshop held with costume design students from Aalto University’s master’s programme in Costume Design: Performing Arts and Film, which gave an opportunity to deepen the methodology during the realization of a postdoctoral research project in the second half of 2024. By articulating an authentic approach to costume pedagogy and engaging with concepts from the Global South, this article seeks to contribute to discussions within the international costume community. It also aims to reflect on contemporary pedagogical processes of costume design, prioritizing the intrinsic relationship between pedagogical and ecological activities and embodied artistic practices.