Craft

Costume Designers Reveal the Hidden Work Behind Screen Style at IndieWire’s Craft Roundtables

By Catriona Vale, Craft & Criticism EditorFebruary 13, 20241 note

As Hollywood’s costume design gains recognition, designers emphasize the delicate balance between creative vision and logistical constraints in a candid panel discussion.

At this year’s IndieWire Craft Roundtables, costume designers laid bare the often unseen intricacies of their craft, highlighting how much of their work hinges on juggling creativity with the practicalities of budget, timing, and production demands. Panelists from acclaimed shows like 'Euphoria,' 'Hacks,' and 'Love Story' shared insights into the complex process of turning a script into a visual reality, revealing that their roles extend far beyond designing costumes.

Sarah Evelyn, known for her work on 'The Beauty,' emphasized that her job involves not only making stylish choices but also managing the budget and labor involved. "Sometimes I just wish we could focus solely on design," she admitted, highlighting how logistical concerns often overshadow creative pursuits. Her comment underscores how central resource management is to the job, even when the creative aspect is what audiences most admire.

Trayce Gigi Field, who worked on 'Spider-Noir,' pointed out that costume design is as much about organization as it is about aesthetics. "You need a brain for logistics to ensure everything happens on schedule," she explained. Her insights shed light on the behind-the-scenes efforts needed to keep production on track, which often go unnoticed.

The panel also touched on the importance of communication skills, with Kathleen Felix-Hager, a veteran of 'Hacks' and 'The Paper,' stressing that costume designers frequently negotiate budgets with producers. "Understanding money is just as vital as knowing how to design," she said. This pragmatic side of costume design often remains in the shadows but is crucial for ensuring that creative visions are realized within the production’s constraints.

Natasha Newman-Thomas, working on 'Euphoria,' shared how her team balances bold, expressive looks with tight schedules and limited resources. Her perspective illustrated that even the most daring costumes are crafted within a framework of logistical planning and resource allocation. The panel collectively highlighted that the art of costume design is a complex dance between imagination and pragmatism, essential for bringing characters to life.

Watch the full panel in the embedded video. IndieWire’s TV Craft Roundtables continue to spotlight the craftsmanship behind some of the most acclaimed screen work, offering viewers a rare glimpse into the hidden labor that shapes the visual language of television and film.

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