Alumni

Film & TV Costume Design Student Mingo Shares Thoughts on Cirque Du Soleil Volta Costumes

FIDM Fashion Design Alumna Mingo is continuing her studies in the Film & TV Costume Design program. She recently attended the dress rehearsal performance of Cirque Du Soleil’s Volta at Dodger Stadium, as a special guest of fellow FIDM Alumna Karen Tushaus who is the Head of Wardrobe for Cirque. We caught up with Mingo to find out what she thought about the Volta costumes and to learn more about her and her goal to be a costume designer for biopics and whimsical films.

What are your thoughts on the costumes in Cirque Du Soleil’s Volta, designed by Zaldy? The costumes in Volta are amazing. They are elaborate and help tell the story. Throughout the show there is a high contrast within the costumes showing the way our culture is now with technology and the way it should be and/or was without it. The color palettes of the “Greys” are dull and muted but the “Free Spirits” were bright and full of life. This helps differentiate which group each character belongs to and also shows the transformation of oneself.

What was your favorite costume? The Greys—it really shows you what society would be if it were a costume. They all are muted grays and tattered, almost each one is identical. That nods to how everyone now in the age of social media looks exactly the same and try to live the same, as so many have lost their souls, vibrancy, and uniqueness.

Tell us a little about yourself: I’m 25 years old from the city of Philadelphia, PA. I earned my B.S. in Fashion Merchandising from Indiana University of PA, and my A.A. in Fashion Design from FIDM. I love history and fashion, and costume design is how I bring the two worlds together.

Why FIDM? I always wanted to move to Los Angeles and I knew that FIDM would be a great step that would help me get to my career goal. I want to be a costume designer for biopics and whimsical films, and to open up an historical costume museum in my hometown. I also want to costume design one world tour with an iconic artist. FIDM is helping me by providing me with some of the best professors and department heads, and great resources and knowledge to help me create the career and life that I want.

Keep up with Mingo on Instagram @mingseason_.

Cirque Du Soleil’s Volta plays at Dodger Stadium through March 8, 2020. Costumes: Zaldy / ©2017 Cirque du Soleil Inc.