Voice Of Costume - The Untold Stories of Unseen Artists

Catherine Baumgardner - Costume Designer and Educator
  • 4.9 (15)
  • TV & Film
  • Updated Bimonthly

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.

  1. 6d ago

    The Secrets of Thrifting Vintage Tees & Legal Clearances with Marissa Schwartz - Sterling Point

    Sterling Point costume designer Marissa Schwartz reveals the thrifted secrets and Chanel dreams behind Amazon Prime's breakout summer drama. Marissa joins Voice of Costume with Catherine Baumgardner to share her creative origin story — from color-coded childhood outfits to a fashion-school detour that led her, unexpectedly, into television costume design. She opens up about the "kismet" chain of connections that landed her the Sterling Point job despite union barriers, and dives deep into building the show's heavily thrifted, 70% vintage wardrobe rooted in Muskoka nostalgia.  Hear the emotional story behind the brown wool sweater that became the show's poster image, the legal hurdles of clearing vintage graphic tees for camera, and how a borrowed Chanel dress and accessories became a defining moment for her teenage lead character, Annie. Marissa also discusses the whirlwind of brand partnerships flooding in after the show's viral fashion moment, learning to trust her instincts while leading a costume department without prior relationships, and balancing motherhood with the demands of film and TV production. Plus, a heartfelt detour into the films and shows that move her and Catherine most. A must-listen for costume design lovers, thrift and vintage fashion fans, Sterling Point superfans, and anyone curious about the emotional storytelling power of costume design.

  2. Sep 2

    Building 75 Costumes for a 25 Minute Episode with Valerie Klarich - Stuart Fails to Save the Universe

    Talking Big Bang Theory spinoffs to superhero suits and 3D-printed icicles — costume design 'behind the seams' at its best! Costume designer Valerie Klarich returns to Voice of Costume to unpack her wild ride designing "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe," the HBO Max spinoff of The Big Bang Theory. Valerie shares how a decade-long friendship with Lauren Lapkus (Orange Is the New Black) led to the job of a lifetime, and how she battled imposter syndrome before landing it. She dives deep into the creative process behind dressing familiar characters across wildly different dimensions — post-apocalyptic wastelands, 1950s primitive worlds, and comic-book superhero universes — all while honoring original designer Mary Quigley's iconic Big Bang Theory looks for nostalgic fans. Hear how Valerie built roughly 75 costumes for a single 25-minute episode, used 3D body scanning and fabric printing to create Mr. Freeze's icicle-textured suit, and paid tribute to classic Stuart Bloom with an exact plaid-and-robot-tee callback. Plus, behind-the-scenes stories of dressing guest stars Penn & Teller, Weird Al, and Wil Wheaton (including his surprise Star Trek reunion with director Jonathan Franks!). Valerie also opens up about leading a 17-person costume department with collaboration and humor at its core, and teases what's ahead for season two.  A must-listen for costume design lovers, Big Bang Theory fans, TV production nerds, and anyone curious about the magic of superhero costume creation.

  3. Aug 21

    Creating Luxury Looks from Street Market Clothes with Vera Chow - The Season

    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.

  4. Aug 19

    The Mindset to Reimagine Little House on the Prairie with Mitchell Travers

    Come for Little House on the Prairie. Stay for one of the great conversations we've had about living a creative life. Costume designer Mitchell Travers joins Voice of Costume for one of our favorite conversations in the history of the show—a deeply thoughtful look inside the new Little House on the Prairie, and an unexpectedly inspiring conversation about creativity, history, collaboration, and building a meaningful career. For fans who grew up with the beloved Michael Landon series, Mitchell explains why this new Little House isn't intended as a reboot, but a fresh interpretation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's books—one that approaches the familiar story through Laura's eyes and expands parts of the American story audiences may not have seen before. And the details are fascinating. Mitchell reveals how Laura's hand-me-down dresses literally tell the history of the Ingalls family through faded dyes, patches and wear; why getting the historically accurate foundations underneath the costumes was so important; and how one massive river sequence required eight versions of Laura's dress, along with costumes engineered for stunt performers, water and child actors. The result is costume design doing something almost invisible: telling us who these people are before anyone says a word. Mitchell also opens up about the production's collaboration with Osage artists and cultural consultants, including the profound experience of visiting Osage Nation and discovering things that books, photographs and research simply couldn't teach him. His takeaway—that authentic representation requires not one voice but a chorus of voices—becomes one of the episode's most meaningful discussions. But some of the best moments aren't really about clothes at all. Mitchell talks candidly about spending years as an assistant, why he doesn't believe careers are built around one magical "big break," why relationships and kindness matter, and how he handles enormous creative pressure: solve the problem in front of you instead of wasting energy becoming overwhelmed. And for fans already looking ahead, Mitchell offers just enough of a tease about Season 2—a different world, new characters, new storylines, a new visual direction, and a finale requiring more preparation than anything they've attempted before. This is an episode about costume design—but it's also about how great creative work gets made, how careers are built slowly, and why curiosity, gratitude and collaboration still matter.

  5. Aug 17

    The Hidden Costume Stories of Bridgerton Season 4 - John Glaser

    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/

  6. Jun 19

    How Do You Build 1880s New York From 50,000 Images with Kasia Walicka Maimone - The Gilded Age

    The Gilded Age looks like living art—but Kasia Walicka-Maimone reveals the research, strategy, color, and craft behind every gown. Costume designer Kasia Walicka Maimone joins Voice of Costume to discuss designing HBO's The Gilded Age, the Julian Fellowes period drama where 1880s New York society becomes a runway of power, wealth, old money, new money, and visual storytelling. Kasia traces her path from growing up in rural Poland, surrounded by nature and imagination, to making her own clothes, studying culture and literature, designing theater, opera, film, and eventually building the massive costume world of The Gilded Age. She reveals the extraordinary research process behind the series, including a visual library of more than 50,000 period images, inspiration from painters like John Singer Sargent, and the surprising truth that the 1880s were far more colorful than black-and-white photography suggests. Kasia explains how jewel tones, artificial dyes, silhouettes, organic shapes, asymmetry, and historical references help define characters, class, taste, and transformation. The conversation also pulls back the curtain on the enormous team effort behind the costumes: design boards, fabric sourcing, budget strategy, repeat garments, in-house makers, tailoring, and the puzzle of creating museum-worthy period clothing on a television schedule. A rich conversation about beauty, history, collaboration, leadership, and the privilege of building a world over multiple seasons. A must-listen for: Fans of The Gilded Age, HBO period dramas, Julian Fellowes, 1880s fashion, New York society, Bertha Russell, Marian Brook, John Singer Sargent, historical costume design, period dramas, fashion history, and behind-the-scenes television craft. 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/

  7. Jun 16

    Are We Dressing for Ourselves Or for Everyone Watching? with Olga Mill - Netflix's BEEF

    What do our clothes reveal when status, shame, ambition, and self-protection begin controlling the person we pretend to be? Costume designer Olga Mill joins Voice of Costume for a thoughtful deep dive into Season 2 of Netflix's BEEF, exploring how clothing can expose the hidden anxieties beneath wealth, taste, success, and carefully constructed identities. Olga traces her journey from immigrating from Ukraine and learning to "read the room" visually to studying costume design at NYU and cold-calling her way onto Boardwalk Empire. She then reveals how the costumes of BEEF distinguish Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, while also showing that every generation wrestles with the same desire to feel original, accomplished, secure, and seen. The conversation explores Carey Mulligan's Lindsay, whose fear of appearing "basic" produces an elevated but increasingly suffocating world of bold patterns, curated luxury, emerging designers, and Montecito style. Olga also discusses building characters with Oscar Isaac and Charles Melton, drawing inspiration from Instagram, art photography, regional fashion, the Fisher King myth, generational cycles, class aspiration, and emotional decay. Beyond fashion, this becomes an honest conversation about vulnerability, creative collaboration, fear of rejection, identity, status, shame, and the freedom that comes from separating your worth from your work. A must-listen for: Fans of BEEF, Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Charles Melton, Netflix dramas, A24, costume design, luxury fashion, generational culture, character psychology, and emotionally layered storytelling. 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/

  8. Jun 5

    How Colleen Atwood Built the Gothic World of Netflix's Wednesday

    Legendary costume designer Colleen Atwood joins Voice of Costume for a fascinating look inside the gothic fashion and visual storytelling of Netflix's Wednesday. She explains how costume design begins with reality, then shifts slightly into the strange, stylized world of Tim Burton—where clothing must feel imaginative while remaining true to the character wearing it. Colleen explores Wednesday Addams' emotional evolution, her growing friendship with Enid Sinclair, and how costumes subtly express isolation, connection, and personal growth. She reveals how Wednesday's deliberately limited black-and-white palette creates opportunities to experiment with silhouette, texture, movement, function, and tonal contrast—especially during action sequences and the spectacular Venetian gala. The conversation also dives into Enid's deepening color palette, Morticia Addams' sculptural wardrobe, red-lined sleeves, Day of the Dead embroidery, and how Catherine Zeta-Jones' dance background helps bring dramatic costumes to life. Colleen discusses her longtime collaboration with Tim Burton, her obsession with fit and construction, and why costumes must look compelling from every camera angle—not merely beautiful from the front. A must-listen for fans of Wednesday, Jenna Ortega, Tim Burton, gothic fashion, the Addams Family, Netflix behind-the-scenes stories, costume design, and cinematic world-building. 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/

See All (100)

4.9
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

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.

Information