I have been asked many times from fans of the shows "how did you become a Costume Designer?". I never hesitate and answer the question because usually it is asked by a bright eyed creative person like me.
I always wanted to create and design clothes. After school I stayed with my Grandmother until my parents got home from work. She was a seamstress making clothes from home, I would watch her create and sew while explaining everything that she was doing. I was not allowed to touch the scissors or fabric until she thought I was trained and ready. By the time I got to Howard University to study Fashion Design in Washington D.C. I was ready for anything the teachers could throw my way.
After graduating I was able to get a job as Department Store Buyer in Pennsylvania. First as a Men's Shoe buyer then I worked my way quickly to become a Junior Clothes Department Buyer. I worked in Pennsylvania 3 days and NYC for 2 days a week. I had a wonderful job and at a young age was successful but I knew this was not the career for me. I quit, packed up my car and drove across country to Los Angeles. (Who does this!!)
Using the talents that I knew, I opened a business in Los Angeles Designing Clothes for Private Clients. I was very happy but a friend asked me to come to her work and see what she did, thinking that I would like it. I went to the set of The Golden Girls where she was a Costume Supervisor. I went back everyday for a week and asked everyday if there was anything I could do to help, I was so excited. The Costume Designer was Judy Evans, Judy had multiple Emmy Awards and was at the top of her career. After I would not go away, Judy called me into her office and asked if I wanted a job. I jumped at the chance and became Estelle Getty's Costume Dresser on Golden Girls. That was it!!! That was the start of many years of watching and learning from my mentor Judy Evans. The way she worked with her Crews and the way she designed and worked with Seamstresses to make her creations come to life.
From these beginnings I always tell young aspiring Designers that your dreams will come true if you never give up and stay true to who you are!!!
Stay tuned because I will be sharing some of my favorite moments and photos from some of my shows in my next blog post!
Please leave a comment below with any ideas you have for future posts on the blog or any questions you have for me!