Podcast
Voice Of Costume - The Untold Stories of Unseen Artists
Hosted by Catherine Baumgardner - Costume Designer and Educator · EN
The stories behind the stories — from the artists who build the worlds we love.
Voice of Costume goes far beyond fabric and fittings.
This podcast is an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at how film, television, and theater are actually made — told by the artists who rarely get the spotlight but shape everything you see on screen.
Each episode features candid conversations with costume designers and creative collaborators working at every level of the industry. They share the real stories: breaking in, surviving rejection, collaborating under pressure, solving impossible problems, and finding meaning in the work when the hours are long and the budgets are tight.
If you love:
Behind-the-scenes stories from film, TV, and theater
Creative career journeys — the wins and the failures
How character, story, and psychology show up visually on screen
Honest conversations about art, process, collaboration, and resilience
…this podcast is for you.
Voice of Costume isn't just about what people wear — it's about why choices are made, how stories are built, and what it really takes to sustain a creative life.
Whether you're a filmmaker, writer, actor, designer, student, or simply someone who loves understanding how great stories come together, this podcast invites you inside the process — where creativity meets craft, and passion meets persistence.
🎧 Subscribe and listen in — because every costume has a story, and every story has a voice.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Inside the Creative Pressure Cooker of The Bear with Courtney Wheeler
1w ago00:35:38Tap to summarizeHow do costumes quietly reveal grief, ambition, identity, burnout, and healing? In this deeply insightful conversation, The Bear costume designer Courtney Wheeler breaks down the emotional storytelling hidden inside every sweater, suit, vintage tee, and color palette across seasons 3 and 4 of the hit FX series. From designing Carmy's evolving silhouettes in Copenhagen and New York, to shaping Sugar's motherhood arc, Richie's growing confidence, and Donna's emotional recovery through wardrobe, Wheeler reveals how costume design becomes character psychology on screen. The discussion dives into the chaos of shooting two seasons simultaneously, navigating constant creative pivots, collaborating with actors like Jamie Lee Curtis, and solving unexpected production problems — including creating a practical glitter effect for a dream sequence under intense time pressure. Wheeler also opens up about burnout, work-life balance in film and television, finding creativity under pressure, and the emotional parallels between the restaurant industry and Hollywood production culture. Packed with behind-the-scenes stories from The Bear, costume design insights, creative collaboration, character development, production strategy, filmmaking process, and artistic problem-solving, this episode is a must-listen for filmmakers, costume designers, storytellers, creatives, and anyone fascinated by how visual details shape unforgettable television. The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/
Transcribe →The Secret Art of Budgeting Million-Dollar Characters with Tiffany Hasbourne - Imperfect Women
2w ago00:53:22Tap to summarizeInside the costumes of Apple TV+'s Imperfect Women: Tiffany Hasbourne reveals how fashion, psychology, collaboration, and storytelling shaped every character. In this deeply inspiring conversation, costume designer Tiffany Hasbourne pulls back the curtain on the creative process behind Imperfect Women — exploring how wardrobe becomes emotional storytelling. From collaborating with Kerry Washington and Elisabeth Moss to working with luxury fashion houses like Chanel, Dior, Coach, and Ralph Lauren, Tiffany shares how clothing choices revealed hidden trauma, friendship dynamics, class differences, and emotional transformation. The episode dives into costume design for film and television, creative collaboration, character psychology, color theory, luxury fashion in storytelling, and the realities of budgeting high-end productions. Tiffany explains how jackets, silhouettes, pastel palettes, couture gowns, and repeated wardrobe pieces subtly shaped audience perception without distracting from the story. The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/
Transcribe →From a Broken Jaw to Iconic TV Costumes with Daniel Lawson - Elsbeth
4w ago01:01:20Tap to summarizeFrom a bullied rural kid to Emmy-nominated costume designer—this is a masterclass in creativity, resilience, collaboration, and storytelling through design. Daniel Lawson pulls back the curtain on shaping the visual identity of hit television series like Elsbeth, The Good Wife, and The Good Fight. In this deeply inspiring conversation, acclaimed costume designer Daniel Lawson shares how a humble upbringing in rural Indiana—marked by hard work, limited resources, and early bullying—unexpectedly became the foundation for a thriving creative career. Through the power of community theater, mentorship, and relentless curiosity, he discovered not only a passion for storytelling but a lifelong calling in costume design. Lawson shares how early mentorship and community-driven storytelling opened doors he never imagined—including a pivotal shift from acting to costume design after realizing he belonged behind the scenes. His path wasn't linear: a life-altering accident abroad forced him to rethink everything, ultimately redirecting him toward a thriving career in television and theater. The conversation dives deep into the creative process behind character-building through wardrobe, especially the evolution of Elsbeth—a character carried across three series—where bold colors, patterns, and silhouette become storytelling tools. Lawson reveals how collaboration with actors, directors, and writers shapes every costume, and why flexibility and preparation are essential in fast-paced TV production. Packed with insights on storytelling, filmmaking, costume design, creative careers, collaboration, resilience, and pivoting under pressure, this episode offers powerful lessons for any creative looking to turn obstacles into opportunity and build something meaningful. The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/
Transcribe →Reinventing the Iconic: The Missteps and Breakthroughs with Leslie Kavanagh - The Testaments
4w ago00:59:27Tap to summarizeInside Gilead like never before—youth, color, power, and hidden control. A costume designer reveals how The Testaments reshapes a dystopian world. In this richly detailed conversation, host Catherine Baumgardner sits down with acclaimed costume designer Leslie Kavanagh to explore the visual storytelling behind The Testaments—the highly anticipated sequel to The Handmaid's Tale based on The Testaments book series. Kavanagh reveals how the series shifts perspective—moving from oppression seen from the outside to a hauntingly "normal" life inside Gilead, especially through the eyes of its youth. This new lens transforms the narrative into something both beautiful and unsettling, where privilege, innocence, and control coexist. The discussion dives deep into costume design as storytelling: color psychology (plums, greens, pinks), symbolic hierarchy, and the delicate balance of individuality within strict uniformity. Kavanagh shares how dyeing fabrics, testing under lighting, and collaborating with cinematographers shape every frame—turning clothing into emotional language. Beyond aesthetics, the conversation explores creative process, failure as fuel, and the power of collaboration. Kavanagh emphasizes that great storytelling doesn't dictate meaning—it sparks conversation. Whether political, artistic, or emotional, the goal is resonance. This episode is a masterclass in film design, world-building, and the invisible artistry that transforms scripts into unforgettable visual experiences. The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/
Transcribe →From Barnyard Dress-Up to Netflix's Virgin River with Judith Feller
Apr 1400:51:47Tap to summarizeIn this inspiring deep dive, Virgin River costume designer Judith Feller shares her journey from a wildly imaginative childhood—playing dress-up on a remote farm—to shaping the visual identity of one of Netflix's most beloved series. Feller unpacks how creativity, limited resources, and a hands-on upbringing fueled her passion for fashion, eventually leading her from fashion design into film and television. She reveals the realities of breaking into the industry—starting at the bottom, grinding through years of on-set roles, and even launching her own clothing line before returning to costume design with a sharper creative voice. The conversation dives into the art of character-driven wardrobe, exploring how she refreshed Virgin River in Season 7—balancing continuity with subtle evolution. From refining silhouettes and reducing visual repetition to crafting standout looks for destination episodes and Western-inspired storylines, Feller highlights the delicate dance between storytelling, actor comfort, and audience expectations. She also offers powerful insights into collaboration, resilience, and creative adaptability—emphasizing that success in film and TV costume design isn't about control, but about flexibility, teamwork, and letting go. This episode is packed with insights on: Costume design shaping story and character Breaking into film industry careers Fashion to film career transition Evolving style in long-running series Collaboration across film production teams Balancing actor comfort and visual storytelling Creative resilience, burnout, and adaptability The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/
Transcribe →Leaving Gucci for Hollywood and Post-Apocalyptic Worlds with Coxy - Paradise (S2)
Apr 900:54:47Tap to summarizeFrom fashion runways in Milan and Paris to Hollywood film sets, this powerful conversation dives into the journey of a visionary costume designer redefining storytelling through wardrobe. In this episode, Catherine Baumgardner sits down with "Coxy," the costume designer behind Paradise Season 2, to explore how costume design, character psychology, and cinematic storytelling collide. Coxy shares her emotional turning point—losing her mother—which sparked a bold leap from high-fashion (working with brands like Gucci and Prada) into the film and television industry. From indie projects to landing major opportunities through connections like Sterling K. Brown, this is a masterclass in breaking into Hollywood and building a creative career. The conversation goes deep into how costumes shape narrative: from post-apocalyptic survival wardrobes to subtle character arcs expressed through fabric, color, and texture. Discover how characters evolve visually—absorbing environments, reflecting power shifts, and revealing hidden humanity through design. This episode is packed with insights on: Costume design for TV & film Character development through wardrobe World-building in sci-fi & dystopian storytelling Hollywood career paths for creatives The intersection of fashion, filmmaking, and storytelling 🔥 If you're a filmmaker, screenwriter, or creative entrepreneur—this is essential listening.
Transcribe →Stretching $25K Across Decades and 140 Looks with Maggie Whitaker - Fairyland
Feb 1701:12:03Tap to summarizeListen in for a masterclass on how to tell a story with 140 looks, on a $1M indie, across decades, with 10 days of prep time! In this deeply moving and craft-rich conversation, host Catherine Baumgardner speaks with costume designer Maggie Whitaker about her extraordinary journey designing the film Fairyland. Whitaker traces her roots from a theater-first upbringing shaped by old movies, regional summer stock, and a love of history—training that quietly prepared her for the chaos and poetry of independent filmmaking. The episode unpacks how Whitaker transitioned from decades of theater to film, learning to navigate asynchronous storytelling, brutal schedules, and microscopic budgets—while still protecting character, emotion, and truth. She offers a masterclass in designing the 1970s–80s queer San Francisco world of Fairyland, drawing from deep cultural research, personal archives, and lived community history rather than surface-level nostalgia. Whitaker reveals how costume becomes a tool for identity: characters "trying on" versions of themselves through clothing, code-switching between safety and self-expression, comfort and risk. From thrifted Victorian pieces worn by broke artists, to plaid shirts that anchor emotional continuity, the clothes chart parallel arcs of father and daughter—love, rebellion, grief, and return. Beyond design, the conversation explores mentorship, advocacy, collaboration, and leadership—how to fight diplomatically for your department, care for your team, and make meaningful art under near-impossible constraints. The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/
Transcribe →Adapting A Book and One's Ego with Colin Wilkes - People We Meet On Vacation
Feb 1500:48:05Tap to summarizeCreative leadership isn't control—it's vulnerability, collaboration, and choosing the right moments to stand firm. In this vibrant and deeply reflective conversation, host Catherine Baumgardner sits down with costume designer Colin Wilkes, whose work brings emotional texture and visual storytelling to the Netflix adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation. Wilkes traces a creative journey rooted in rural freedom, theater, opera, and early storytelling—spaces where imagination and observation shaped a lifelong study of people, culture, and place. The discussion dives into how costume design becomes a form of sociology: studying geography, music, art, class, and cultural behavior to make each vacation, city, and moment feel emotionally distinct. Wilkes explains how color palettes, fabric, silhouettes, and background wardrobes subtly signal time, place, and character psychology—often working below the audience's conscious awareness. From Barcelona to New Orleans, airports to weddings, every costume choice anchors the viewer in a believable world. Wilkes also reveals the challenges behind the romance: tight schedules, weather disasters, international shipping, and constant pivots—while still protecting the emotional arc of the characters. The episode explores ego, collaboration, vulnerability, and leadership, emphasizing when to fight for a creative choice and when to let go. Ultimately, the conversation becomes a meditation on purpose-driven storytelling, trust in collaboration, and how clothing can quietly chart growth, intimacy, and connection over time. The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/
Transcribe →The Subtle Craft of Tone and Texture in Political Thrillers with Jenny Gering - The Diplomat
Feb 1300:44:11Tap to summarizePower isn't shouted in this world—it's tailored. Discover how suits, fabric, and subtle choices quietly drive tension in a political thriller. In this thoughtful and inspiring conversation, host Catherine Baumgardner sits down with acclaimed costume designer Jenny Gering, whose work spans The Americans and season three of The Diplomat. Gering reflects on her childhood split between tomboy freedom and classic Hollywood obsession, crediting old movies, vintage fashion, and storytelling as the roots of her creative instincts. The discussion traces her unconventional path into costume design—one built on curiosity, saying yes, and discovering that seemingly unrelated skills can suddenly click into purpose. Gering offers a candid look at the demands of episodic television, describing The Americans as a trial-by-fire education in speed, research, and stamina, while emphasizing the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and problem-solving under pressure. As the conversation shifts to The Diplomat, Gering unpacks the subtle art of designing for political thrillers: restrained palettes, repeated garments, and the careful use of tone and texture to differentiate characters without breaking realism. She explains how costumes must ground the audience in reality, making tension feel immediate and believable. Throughout, themes of humility, adaptability, ego-free collaboration, and lifelong curiosity emerge—offering invaluable insight for creatives navigating high-pressure storytelling environments. The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/
Transcribe →Fantasy Child to Period World-Builder with Marion Boyce - The Artful Dodger
Feb 1100:53:36Tap to summarizeFrom childhood fantasy to building entire worlds in fabric, this episode reveals how costume design becomes character, story, and emotion on screen. In this rich, intimate conversation, host Catherine Baumgardner sits down with acclaimed costume designer Marion Boyce to explore how imagination, research, and relentless craftsmanship shape unforgettable characters. Boyce reflects on her childhood spent in fantasy worlds, tracing a direct line from early play and family textile heritage to a career designing for some of the most visually ambitious period dramas in film and television. The discussion dives deep into her work on The Artful Dodger, unpacking how color palettes, fabric choices, and historical underpinnings communicate power, class, rebellion, and constraint—often before a character speaks a single word. Boyce reveals why books and primary visual references still matter more than fast online searches, and how accuracy in silhouette, corsetry, and underpinnings is essential to keeping an audience emotionally grounded. From designing crinolines that physically shape a character's movement, to using color as metaphor for grief, danger, and desire, Boyce explains costume as active storytelling—not decoration. She also opens up about the intense realities of production schedules, the pressure of massive builds, collaboration with directors and actors, and the personal cost of creative obsession. The episode becomes a masterclass in costume design, world-building, and the unseen labor that makes cinematic storytelling feel truthful and alive. https://www.marionboycecostume.com/ The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/
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