Voice Of Costume - The Untold Stories of Unseen Artists

Costume designer Vera Chow joins Voice of Costume for a fascinating conversation about Hulu's The Season—and how culture can completely change the meaning of what we wear. Growing up in Hong Kong before building a career across the U.S. and Asia gave Vera a unique understanding of the invisible rules behind clothing. She breaks down the difference between Hong Kong's British-influenced old money and flashier new money, why presentation carries different expectations there than in America, and how those cultural codes shaped the characters and visual world of The Season. Vera's explaning the difference between bullying in China vs the USA is worth the price of admission alone, much less the myriad of other cultural insights she shares about designing overseas and what a lot of other designers do not realize when they work there. Then Vera reveals one of the most unconventional design processes we've ever discussed on the show: instead of always building costumes from scratch, she often buys existing garments, cuts them apart, and rebuilds them into something completely new—a process she jokingly calls "Frankenstein." Cheap street-market finds, K-pop-inspired pieces, vintage Japanese fabrics and unexpected materials can all become costumes that look extraordinarily expensive on screen. She also shares how her experience on The Walking Dead led her to stunt training, why understanding local crews and resources matters when working internationally, and how costume design must balance beauty with movement, safety and story. This is a must-listen for fans of The Season, costume designers, filmmakers, fashion lovers, thrifters, Asian and Asian-American creatives, and anyone fascinated by how culture shapes the way we dress. It's one of the most unconventional approaches to costume design we've ever explored on Voice of Costume one every listener will be fascinated by.

John Glaser is back and this time... in black! For Bridgerton fans of Season 4, this conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the costumes shaping Sophie and Benedict's love story—from Sophie's silver masquerade gown and Cinderella-inspired transformation to Benedict's softer country wardrobe, the redesigned Bridgerton maid uniforms, the long-awaited masquerade ball, and the surprising use of black in a world known for pastels, romance, and fantasy. John Glaser reveals how costume design plants clues before the audience even knows who Sophie is, how one dress helps Benedict fall for a mystery woman, and how Bridgerton's visual world is becoming more mature, grounded, and emotionally layered while still delivering the beauty fans expect. Costume designer John Glaser returns to Voice of Costume to discuss Bridgerton Season 4, the Netflix romance phenomenon known for lush period fashion, romantic spectacle, and unforgettable character reveals. This episode dives straight into the visual language of the new season: the surprising use of black, the shift into darker autumnal tones, and how the costume team kept Bridgerton beautiful while making the world feel more mature and grounded. The conversation also goes behind the scenes of the masquerade ball, where 172 background characters each received their own costume story, plus the hidden complexity of maid uniforms, wet costumes, doubles, action garments, and Francesca's powerful funeral veil. 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/

From Wizards Beyond Waverly Place to Sweet Magnolias, Disney costume designer Cameron Dale reveals how she went from sketching dresses as a six-year-old to dressing some of TV's most beloved characters. In this lively conversation, Cameron shares how she balances creativity and motherhood, the unspoken rules of Disney costume design, and how to make magical worlds feel authentic on screen. She talks about collaborating with Selena Gomez and David Henrie, designing for child actors, and why color, texture, and story are everything in a kids' show. You'll hear her funniest on-set mishaps (including a punk jacket that met a baby prop), the secret to capturing that unmistakable "Disney look," and the perspective she gained after losing her home in the California fires. Whether you're a costume designer, filmmaker, or creative parent, this episode is full of heart, humor, and practical inspiration from a designer who has truly earned her magic wand. www.voiceofcostume.com