Being able to say I'm an Emmy-nominated costume designer is probably up there in the top 5 things I will ever say about myself. Also in the top 5, I'm Theodore's (the offical gh shop cat) human. When I learned about my nomination in July (while literally doing pilates at Fitlab) I screamed, gasped, and cried a little bit. And then I ran over to gather here and told everyone there and then I took the train to South Station so I could grab a ferry to Provincetown to see David Sedaris and hangout with quilter extraordinaire, Stephanie Cave.
One of the first questions asked was, "do you get to go to the Emmy's?" The answer is yes and the studio pays for the travel. The second question asked was, "what will you wear???" I actually reached out to some friends who have been nominated (and even won!) to see what they wore. From suits to gowns, they all said it's really about feeling comfortable and like yourself because the event is long and who wants to be uncomfortable! So after some shopping I decided I had to make myself something to wear. I created a mood board with the silhouettes I was attracted to and colors and textures that captured what I was gravitating towards this past summer.
I'm fortunate enough to have a longtime working relationship with the folks at B&J Fabrics and one of my assistant costume designers, Sueann Leung, works there as a film and television liaison. Sueann swatched satins in vibrant colors that would hold the drape of a boxy shirt and wide leg pants. B&J Fabrics is where I purchase most of the silks and woolens that I make my own wardrobe with and it's also the place I source many of the show fabrics I use in my costume design work.
I was torn between pink, blue, and green. In the end I went with two shades of green: chartreuse and pickle. They were a slightly different weight but both had enough structure to hold a stiff hem and a drop shoulder 3/4 sleeve.
I drafted the pattern for this set using some garments I had made in the past. I wanted an elastic waist but only in the bag, pockets that wouldn't weight down the sideseam, and a very wide straight leg. I started with the Pomona Pant and mixed in the Mimosa Culottes until I had a mockup in a cotton sateen that I was happy with. For the top I turned to my trusty Fran Pajama top which I've been tweaking for awhile now. I knew I didn't want a notched color and that I would ultimately want to exaggerate the collar as seen in Gucci's fall/winter 2025 collection. I also considered fabric covered buttons like the Gucci silk jacquard shirt but instead decided to create a hidden button placket so the closures wouldn't be the focus of the shirt.
I found the perfect thread to match: Cotton + Steel sulky. I switched between Pea Soup and Light Army Green since the right and left sides of the shirt and pants were different colors and I wanted any visible stitching to simply disappear. In the end the entire garment was hemmed by hand using a catch stitch. I didn't want topstitching because I feel like it can read too casual (if you've ever taken my Hem Clinic you know this already).
The fit came together with bedazzled (gently used) sneakers that I found on Ebay. Plus the most beautiful lavendar anemone brooch by Helena Simons. The silk brooch is handcrafted in NYC using the couture techniques handed down from generation to generation. I was honored to be gifted such a historically rich piece. I also wore all my favorite pieces of jewelry - a jade ring by Shing Jewels, a Labradorite ring by Ashley Procopio, cups of silver studs from Shepherd's Run Jewelry, stacks of thin gold and silver rings by little pancakes, friendship bracelets by Eling aka migration goods, my junior high ID bracelet, and a jade bracelet from my mom. I still can't believe I finished the whole outfit in time to hop on a plane and I love how at ease Noah and I look in all the photos. Truly just honored (and happy) to be nominated.
