I don’t design my own clothes. It’s so not what I think about.
The reward is that you can actually create a world separate from reality with a story, actors, music, and camera design. When it works it can entertain, move people and teach us all.
The exposure I have had to beautiful materials across the world, from Japan to Italy, enables me to pull design ideas together. This, combined with years of historical research, has created a great fountain of ideas for me.
For contemporary fashion, I’m a huge fan of so many of the people out there. I think Azzedine Alaia holds up through three generations of very specific, beautiful design. I think Jean Paul Gaultier also is very interesting with a long span.
I can create clothes for so many different time periods. I’ve always tried to avoid being pigeonholed. Plus, everything I learn about design and costume from one movie somehow works its way into something else.
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.
My own style is pretty classic I much prefer to design for others.
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 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.
Inspiration comes from everywhere: books, art, people on the street. It is an interior process for me.