Meet the Costume Designers Behind Your Favorite Style-Driven Shows
The Visionaries Who Turn Characters into Style Icons on Screen
Credit: @CNN
When you think of Gossip Girl, it’s hard not to picture Blair’s signature headband or Serena’s yellow Ralph Lauren gown at her mother’s wedding to Bart Bass. Behind these iconic looks are the creative minds who shape the characters we obsess over. Not just with lines of dialogue, but with every fabric, stitch, and accessory.
In the world of style-driven television, costume designers are the unsung heroes. They don’t merely dress the cast, they define the mood of a scene, transport us to another era, and set the tone for the entire show. Here’s a look at the visionaries who’ve turned fictional characters into modern style icons.
Why Costume Designers Matter
Costume designers do more than dress actors for specific scenes. They bring characters to life, helping audiences understand them before a word is spoken. Through color, texture, and silhouette, they immerse us in the world of the story, blending research and intuition to ensure every piece feels authentic.
““What a costume designer does is a cross between magic and camouflage. We create the illusion of changing the actors into what they are not. We ask the public to believe that every time they see a performer on the screen, he’s become a different person.””
Hollywood has long recognized this artistry. Awards like the Oscars for Best Costume Design, the Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Costume Design, and the Costume Designers Guild Awards celebrate the vital role these artists play. But beyond the accolades, costume designers shape pop culture, influencing trends that outlive the credits.
Spotlight: Key Designers and Shows
Patricia Field
Patricia Field is a legend. Not many boutique owners can also call themselves an influential Emmy-winning costume designer. Field’s work on Sex and the City turned the show into a cultural phenomenon, with fashion as a central narrative. From Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolo Blahniks and Fendi Baguettes to bold corsages and statement accessories, Field’s vision defined the show’s visual language and reshaped modern style.
Her influence didn’t stop there. Field earned an Academy Award nomination for her work on The Devil Wears Prada, capturing Andy’s transformation from an outsider to a fashion insider in one iconic montage. She also consulted on Emily in Paris and Younger, bringing her signature mix of high and low fashion to a new generation of viewers.
A longtime supporter of the LGBTQ+ community, Field’s New York City boutique has been a hub for avant-garde fashion lovers for decades. Her styling celebrates self-expression, blending luxury and streetwear to create aspirational looks that feel accessible. Her legacy lives on in the countless stylists and designers she’s mentored and in every pair of Manolos still strutting down the street.
Credits: @Harper's BAZAAR, @Harper’s BAZAAR India, @BuzzFeed & @Vogue Australia
Arianne Phillips
Arianne Phillips is known for dressing some of the most iconic performers of our time. She began her career as a fashion editor and stylist, later becoming one of the industry’s most sought-after costume designers. With two Oscar nominations for Walk the Line and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, she’s a master at blending historical accuracy with modern flair.
Phillips’ credits include A Single Man—produced by Tom Ford—where she crafted Colin Firth’s refined 1960s look, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Broadway revival), which earned her a Tony nomination for its glam rock costumes. Her work has made her a leading voice for costume design as high art.
For over 20 years, she’s also collaborated with Madonna, creating some of the pop icon’s most memorable looks from music videos to world tours. Her influence bridges the worlds of music, fashion, and film, inspiring both fans and future designers.
Credits: @Entertainment Weekly, @IMDb, Billboard & @Variety
Ruth E. Carter
No conversation about costume design is complete without Ruth E. Carter. Over three decades, Carter has turned fabric into cultural storytelling, bringing Black narratives to life with unparalleled style.
She began in the 1980s with Spike Lee, crafting the street style of Do the Right Thing and the dignified attire of Malcolm X. Her credits span Selma, Amistad, and Coming 2 America, each marked by a deep understanding of heritage and identity.
But it was Black Panther and Wakanda Forever that cemented her place in the pantheon of costume design. Her Afro-futuristic vision earned her the first Oscar ever awarded to a Black costume designer, redefining how Black excellence is portrayed on screen.
Carter’s work is rooted in Afrocentric aesthetics, with rich color palettes and intricate details that celebrate African heritage and reimagine it for the future. Her costumes have inspired a global embrace of Afro-futurism, challenging stereotypes and expanding narratives in mainstream fashion.
In 2021, Carter received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to her status as a cultural architect whose designs are more than costumes. They’re archives of resilience, pride, and possibility.
Credits: @Dezeen, @British Vogue, @Harper's BAZAAR & @Variety
Behind the Seams: The Design Process
Creating an unforgettable look starts long before the cameras roll. Costume designers immerse themselves in scripts, character backstories, and the director’s vision. They create mood boards, sketches, and fittings to ensure every piece enhances the story.
They work closely with actors, too making sure the costumes are comfortable, functional, and transformative. When it all comes together, it’s more than just dressing up. It’s storytelling.
The Cultural Impact
When a show or film captures the public’s imagination, its costumes don’t stay on screen—they spill over into our lives. Mad Men reignited a passion for 1960s elegance, while the glittery, Gen-Z-meets-vintage style of Euphoria has gone viral on social media. Even the bold looks of Emily in Paris have made waves, regardless of the show’s polarizing plot.
Brands have taken note, too. Collaborations and capsule collections tied to hit shows have become hot commodities. From the tulle skirts of Sex and the City to the streetwear influences of Euphoria, these fictional wardrobes shape real-world trends.
It’s clear that the work of costume designers doesn’t end with the final edit. It keeps evolving in the real world, reshaping what’s in style and how we express ourselves.
Giving Them Their Spotlight
Next time you binge-watch your favorite style-driven series, pause to appreciate the craft behind every costume. Costume designers aren’t just background artists, they’re visionaries who use color, texture, and silhouette to tell unforgettable stories.
They shape how we see characters and, in turn, how we see ourselves. They deserve their spotlight. Not just for dressing actors, but for inspiring all of us to embrace our own sense of style.