Rentals
LOW COST Rentals for a more circular production:
Conscious Costume is proud to provide low cost, accessible, and easily available costume rentals to theatres and performers, with emphasis on community membership and collaboration. While we welcome all creators, Members get access to special discounts and benefits.
NEW: Free AIBI day pass with each rental over $50 (final invoice amount, limit 1 free day pass per production, additional day passes are available at AIBI’s website)
Our stock includes donated costumes from companies all over the Mid West and Mid Atlantic regions including The Goodman, Steppenwolf, Troika, The Hypocrites, and from designer’s private collections.
Conscious Costume operates from abundance rather than scarcity and we want to work with you, your budget, and your needs to see your full design vision come to life. We would rather our costumes be used than stored. Please inquire about opportunities to remove capitalism from your costume acquisition.
In an effort to do our part to correct for the legacy of white, cis, able-bodied privilege in the American theatre, BIPOC, Disabled, and Queer centered companies and designers are eligible for a “Pay What You Can” model or complimentary costume rentals, please email to inquire.
Selections from our Inventory:
Assorted Historic 18th century and earlier
Early 20th Century COMING SOON!
1940s COMING SOON!
1950s COMING SOON!
1970s COMING SOON!
Searchable inventory is coming soon! These photos are only a sampling of what we have and our stock is continually growing and evolving, please contact us to find out what is currently available.
Policies:
Member agreement:
Standard rental period is 10 weeks, additional weeks will be prorated.
Payments are due 14 days after final invoice is sent.
All garments must be laundered and repaired as needed before they are returned or you will be charged for the labor and costs of this work being completed by Conscious Costume.
Alterations and cosmetic or function changes do not need to be restored.
Pending availability, you may return additional costumes in addition to what you’ve rented, please give us a courtesy heads up so we can prepare space. You will get an 8% discount on a future rental, which does not expire.
Non-Member agreement:
Standard rental period is 8 weeks, additional weeks will be prorated.
Payments are due 14 days after final invoice is sent.
All garments must be laundered and repaired as needed before they are returned or you will be charged for the labor and costs of this work being completed by Conscious Costume.
Alterations do not need to be restored.
Pending availability, you may return additional costumes in addition to what you’ve rented, please give us a courtesy heads up so we can prepare space. You will get a 5% discount on a future rental, good for 6 months after issuance.
There is a $5 processing fee for any invoice total below $20.
Intake form - please fill this out ahead of coming in, all responses are anonymized and will only be used to help us with grant reporting.
Location:
Our stock is located in ICNC Make City, in collaboration with the AIBI Fashion Lab at 2021 W Fulton St (Suite K-111) here in the near west side of Chicago. The closest intersection is Damon and Fulton. When you arrive, please use the door for 2031 W Fulton. That is the door closest to the Fashion Lab. There is a call box next to the door, which will let us buzz you in. Our door is at the end of the loading dock.
If you cannot find us, call the AIBI office number and be sure to mention that you are calling for Conscious Costume: 312-836-1041 (please contact us via email for rental questions, likely the person answering the phone is AIBI staff and does not know what is available in stock).
*We strongly encourage all attendees to have been fully vaccinated OR to have had a negative COVID test within 72 hours of attending this in person event. Masks are also encouraged.*
By Public Transit - There is a bus stop (#50) a block north, at the corner of Damon and Caroll. A green line stop at Lake and Damen is being added, but is not yet open.
By Car - AIBI can be reached:
From 290: Exit at Damon, and go north 8 blocks (past the United Center).
From 90: Exit at Division, and go west on Division almost 1 mile. Then turn south on Damen for 1 mile to Fulton Ave.
FREE Parking is available on the street, but it can be quite busy.
Accessibility: The location has no stairs to get from parking to our stock and there are ramps available from street to sidewalk height. There are not electric doors but we are happy to come open doors for you. While Conscious Costume does not use any fragranced cleaning products, we do not know what products our donors may use.
Rentals are by appointment only, NOW IN PERSON with vaccination and masks, with priority given to Members. Virtual pulling appointments also available.
