Why is your work important?      

    It’s my job to help tell a character’s story in the world they’re a part of. To do that, I have to do a lot of research. For example, if I’m working on a project set in the past, I’ll talk to historians. I’ll also read books and articles. This helps me tell an accurate story. 

Can you describe what your design process is like?       

    I start with the script and break it down by the scenes. Next, I look at the characters in those scenes. What are they doing? Are they in the water or on a mountain? What’s the time period? This information helps me design. Then, once the costume is built, we do a fitting. We have to make sure the actor can move in it!  

How long does it take to design all the costumes for a movie?    

    It could take three months or close to a year. It depends. A character may have one costume change—or 30. And sometimes I need to get fabric or jewelry from all around the world. 

What’s the most challenging part of your job?  

    The movie’s directors, producers, and actors all get to weigh in on the costumes. It can be hard to get everyone to agree!  

It’s your job to design other people’s clothes. Do you also design your own? 

    I design a lot for my daughter! She loves Halloween, and I’d say she has some of the best costumes. One year she dressed up as Darth Vader. Her costume even lit up!