Costuming a floating city: class and material realities in Titanic

This thesis details the creative process behind the costume design for Temple University's production of Titanic, performed in Tomilson Theater, October 2025. The design approach centers around the distinct identity of the first-, second- and third-class passengers, both visually and culturally. Background research included an analysis of the material realities of these character groups’ historical analogs. Of particular interest are the ways that immigration serves as an access point for modern audiences, and how costumes can paint a picture that challenges dominant assumptions about the past. Ultimately, this process allowed the designer to reflect on the kinds of stories they feel most drawn to telling, as well as the adaptable strategies they have developed for telling these stories within the constraints of time, labor and budget.