Alumni

Atorina Sargizzadeh is Designing Inspired Moulin Rouge Costumes for DEBUT

Originally from Iran, where she graduated with a B.A in Visual Arts, Theatre Costume Design Student Atorina Sargizzadeh moved to California six years ago to pursue her dream of being a fashion designer. After her former school closed down, Atorina transferred to FIDM. “I remember back in 2019, while I volunteered as a dresser for DEBUT, how challenging it was for the designer while I was backstage hoping one day I would experience it myself,” said Atorina, who has a degree in Fashion Design from FIDM. She’s currently creating Moulin Rouge costumes for FIDM’s Annual DEBUT Runway Show event live-streaming on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM PDT. We chatted with Atorina to learn more about her designs, inspiration, and how FIDM is getting her closer to her career goals.

Tell us about your Moulin Rouge designs: I'm designing for Christian, who is my main character and my second main is Nini, I am also designing for two can-can dancers. In every piece that I made, there is a cyberpunk and Victorian look to it, but with a twist. I wanted to achieve a look that speaks for itself. What you would see under it is worn over. My looks will represent the pain behind the beauty of fashion throughout history, and they also will show the sparkle and luxury of burlesque.

What silhouettes and fabrics can we expect to see? I have fitted silhouettes with some layering over and under. The fabrics used are vinyl, reflective, iridescent, spandex, and some metal wires.

What is your point of view, as a designer? My vision as a designer comes from the idea to collide different unique materials that are unwearable to simple eyes, for example having your model walk in a cage dress that represents a hoop skirt.

How do you hope people will feel when they see your designs? I want them to enjoy the creativity of mixing and matching two completely different eras as one and enjoy a different touch of the burlesque show that is fresh, new, and creative.

What inspires you as a creative and as a fashion designer? As someone who loves the history of fashion, it is interesting how history repeats itself; there is no limit for inspiration. My inspiration is my vision to create an art piece, a simple pencil and paper are my leading tokens to design.

What is a lesson you’ve learned in this advanced program? As someone who is completely new to costume design, I learned how free you are to create something no matter how crazy it is, there is a way of making it possible. I remember being scared of having too many details on my costumes while presenting my ideas, but my teacher Lauren Matesic said, "There is never too much detail when it comes to the costume design world, so don't limit yourself."

How is FIDM helping you get closer to your career goals? Having teachers who actively work in the industry helps us know and learn more about the reality of our major after school. FIDM challenges its students for the better. They will push you towards your creative side with no limitation, and help you every step of the way to prepare you for the world outside of school as a professional in your field.