I think that sometimes people don't understand that a costume that has to be worn every day and doesn't change the whole movie becomes iconic. It's very important because it requires a different design process, since you have to make something that people aren't going to get tired of looking at.
I grew up in a small town in Washington State, so I wasn't really aware of costume design as a career growing up, but I loved clothes. I remember I saved all my money, and the first thing that I bought was a white blazer, which was to the horror to my parents. But I have always had a strange connection with clothing.
It's fun conjuring what people will be wearing in the future. We exist in this world today, and yet there are people walking around who still look like they're in the '60s.
Costume, hair and makeup can tell you instantly, or at least give you a larger perception of who a character is. It's the first impression that you have of the character before they open their mouth, so it really does establish who they are.
One thing about costume design - and I think design in general - but especially costume design, is people have a misconception that it's very glamorous work.
I always loved clothes, just not clothes that were appropriate to the place I grew up in.
My work space is so visually crammed. It's like an insane candy store. The number of textiles I'm surrounded with is mind boggling. It's a treat to come home to a nice negative space.
The right costume determines the character, helps the actor feel who he is, and serves the story.
My own style is pretty classic; I much prefer to design for others.
I love designing costumes that I can actually construct, working to create an environment that people want to be in.
It's great fun that my grandkids get to see the costumes in 'Alice in Wonderland' or a doll with grandma's dress, but then they also let me know they're bummed I didn't do any of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movies.
It's often said that costume designers are a faceless group of people. But we can contribute to fashion in a way that might be new and different.
Costume design allows you to do a different type of research and create characters, whereas in fashion, you create an image and clothing for the masses.
I design for the movie and the character as well as the person wearing the costume. I show the ideas to the actor, then do fittings for shape and technical things such as movement in the costume. Once the costume in this form is on the actor, you have a sense of their connection with it. I then take it to the next level with the final fit.
I really don't over-theorize about design. I'd rather feel it than talk it to death. A lot happens as you unroll the design.
I choose colors I like and will photograph well. I don't do color theory!
Every story is different, so what is a detail in one might not be in something else. Diversity is something I embrace and love about my work.
