5 Costume Designers Elevating Wardrobe To a High Art

HBO’s Eyes on the Prize: Hallowed Ground costume design by Zerina Akers

THERE IS NO DOUBT THE RIGHT WARDROBE ENHANCES NUANCED CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. HERE, THE COSTUME DESIGNERS ELEVATING CLOTHING TO A HIGH ART.

In all entertainment endeavors, clothes tell just as much of a story as does a screenplay or a song. It’s why we’re grateful for costume design greats—the ones whose arts both feed our eyes and inform plot and character. With the premiere of the fall television lineup and awards season around the corner, now is as good a time as ever to appreciate wardrobe and keep your eye out for the next wave of great costume designers.

HBO’s Insecure season 1 costume design by Ayanna James Kimani.

ZERINA AKERS

Once you’ve achieved the standards set by Beyoncé, any creative endeavor is possible. New York-based stylist Zerina Akers (@zerinaakers) served as costume designer for Bey’s Black Is King and the “Apeshit” video. Her résumé also includes working with Chloe and Halle Bailey, Normani, Niecy Nash and Saweetie. In her latest venture, she designed for Eyes on the Prize: Hallowed Ground, an HBO Max documentary that explores the journey of Black liberation through the primary players of the movement. Fingers crossed we see more of her work in film and television.

AYANNA JAMES KIMANI

Ayanna James Kimani (@ayannajkimani) has styled an onslaught of high-profile celebs like Tiffany Haddish and Usher, making her way to design for Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s music video for “Family Feud.” She’s since made her mark on television by costume designing season 1 and 2 of Issa Rae’s Insecure and Ava DuVernay’s Queen Sugar. Next on her list are Netflix’s Tall Girl 2: Junior Year and NBC’s Council of Dads. All eyes are on Kimani as she continues to expand her résumé.

FX’s Pose season 3 costume design by Analucia McGorty

ANALUCIA MCGORTY

Analucia McGorty (@analuciamcgorty) has worked in costume and wardrobe design for 10 years, but it’s with Pose that she’s made her mark as a costume designer. Just recently, she won an Emmy for contemporary costumes for the show. Meeting the standards of the NYC ballroom scene from the ‘80s through the ‘90s, she developed magnificent pieces that translated the heart and soul of Blanca and friends. With Pose having ended in its third season, it will be exciting to see where McGorty takes her talent—one that understands both streetwear and high fashion—to next.

HBO’s I May Destroy You season 1 costume design by Lynsey Moore.

LYNSEY MOORE

Lynsey Moore (@lynseymoore.costume) has worked on a fair amount of TV productions since 2016. An exceptional example is her two-time collaboration with visionary storyteller Michaela Coel for her shows Chewing Gum and I May Destroy You. Even with the intense storyline of the latter, Moore’s work so clearly stood out and brought to life a character who has fair enough reason to be a shell of a human. Her dexterity for the craft was further proven by helming costume design for a storyline from nearly five centuries ago. With British miniseries Anne Boleyn, Moore shows she can tackle the past, present and future. Her work will next be seen in Judd Apatow’s The Bubble.

HBO’s Betty season 2 costume design by Cristina Spiridakis.

CRISTINA SPIRIDAKIS

On HBO’s Betty, Cristina Spiridakis (@cristina_costumes) enlivened the all-girl crew of NYC skaters with individualized wardrobes that matched the vibrance of their respective characters. It’s a shame we won’t be able to see more of Janay, Camille and the rest of the gang. Spiridakis’ wardrobe truly captured the balance of Gen Z trendiness and skate culture without sacrificing personality. Over the last few years, she has also served as costume designer for Dash & Lily, High Maintenance and Difficult People. We can’t wait to see her next project.