SEE THE
INSTALLATION.
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Costume Source is the UK’s leading provider of dance costume hire, working with schools, studios and production teams across the country. The company looks after a large and varied collection of costumes. Sequins, tassels, glitter, layered fabrics and delicate trims are all part of the daily workload. Each piece needs to look sharp when it reaches a customer, so the laundry process plays a central role in the service they offer.
Although a costume may only be worn for a short time on stage, it still needs to be ready to shine performance after performance. Colours need to stay bright. Shapes need to hold. Embellishments need to stay intact. For Costume Source, the laundry is not a back-office function. It is the star of the show that keeps the whole operation moving.
WHEN HIGH DEMAND,
PUT THE DOMESTIC SETUP UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT.
In the early days, Costume Source relied on a small set of domestic machines. They served their purpose for a time, but as bookings increased, the limits became obvious. Turnaround times tightened and the team often found themselves working around the equipment rather than with it. Costumes arrived back in a wide range of conditions. Some needed only a quick refresh, while others required more careful handling to protect their detailing. With little time between hires, the domestic setup could no longer keep pace.
The pressure on the garments added to the strain. Sequins, tassels and glued trims are easily damaged in cycles not designed for such delicate garments; and repeated washing made gentle, controlled processes even more important. To maintain quality and scale sustainably, the business needed a commercial system that could protect every costume and deliver predictable results.
EXPANDING THE SETUP,
INTO THE NEXT ACT.
Having transformed its laundry with Miele Professional in 2022, Costume Source built on the same system when it moved to a larger unit in 2025, gaining capacity and a smoother workflow.
For costumes in mixed fabrics, embellishments and specialist trims, “Miele offered the blend we needed; gentle handling for delicate garments, consistent performance and sustainability credentials that match our own,” says founder Aleksis Gailans.
The team is also moving to WetCare, Miele’s water-based alternative to dry cleaning, which it sees as the future of specialist garment care. Early tests show it handles the varied collection gently, and predictable cycle times and efficient resource use support the company’s long-term goals.
“As a hire business, longevity is everything,” Aleksis says. “If we look after the costumes properly, they stay stage worthy for much longer.”
THE RESULTS:
INTO THE NEXT ACT.
The expanded setup has made the operation smoother and more predictable. With dependable cycles and greater capacity, the team can move through each day with more certainty, keeping turnaround times steady even during busy show periods. Garments are holding up better too. WetCare, supported by a specialist detergent mix supplied by Gillmans, have helped costumes retain their colour, structure and detailing across repeated hires, while drying cabinets provide extra care for tasselled and more fragile pieces.
The improved performance of the equipment also supports Costume Source’s sustainability goals, using resources more efficiently and helping extend the life of each garment. The stronger foundation has created room for new opportunities, including specialist cleaning for customer-owned costumes. As Aleksis explains, the biggest benefit is simple: “Consistency in garment care, in our workflow and in the experience we deliver to our customers.”
WHY GILLMANS:
TAKING A LEADING ROLE BEHIND THE SCENES.
When Costume Source moved to commercial equipment, Miele introduced long-standing partner Gillmans, who reviewed the day-to-day use of the space, the garment mix, the pace of work and how the system would need to grow. “Gillmans recognised that this system is the core of our business,” Aleksis says.
Gillmans installed four 11 kg PWM 511 and two 12 kg PWM 912 Miele Professional washers, four 14 kg PDR 514 dryers and drying cabinets for fragile pieces. Drainage pumps and a water tank with booster pumps stabilise the supply and cut wash times, while the layout keeps loading and unloading simple. “We treated this as a major installation,” says Hugh Howes of Gillmans. “By surveying the site with our lead engineer beforehand, we ensured the layout and services were exactly right.”
LOOKING TO UPGRADE FROM DOMESTIC TO COMMERCIAL? LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR LAUNDRY TECHNOLOGY HERE.
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“Gillmans recognised that this system is the core of our business,”
Aleksis Gailans | Founder, Costume Source
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