Design Philosophy

As many Costume Designers are, I am often asked “how did you come up with that?!” I usually grin and humbly answer “I’m not sure”. I could tell them that designing the look of a character is defining who that character is and how the audience will perceive him. That you need to give him a history, a reason as to why he looks the way he does. But there is so much more to it, a much greater intimacy.

When beginning a design I get random ideas, strong ideas that formulate themselves without specific intent; the puzzle lies in finding their use. My greatest inspiration is textile design and color is my muse; how much is too much? And at the end of the day my vitality lies in the pedal of a sewing machine.

There is so much joy in the theater, in design. So much work, so many thoughts. As I continue as a Designer, I hope to never be able to answer the question “how did you come up with that?” not because I’m unwilling to let people into “my process”, but because I would like them to enjoy not the how but the why.