Game of Thrones Costume Designer Appears at FIDM
Emmy-winning costume designer Michele Clapton was on the Los Angeles campus to discuss her work on Game of Thrones and her jewelry collaboration with the brand Yunus & Eliza.
Around 200 enthusiastic costume design fans were on hand for the Q&A, conducted by television producer Dan Abrams, which featured insight into Michele's life as one of the most in-demand designers working today. She shared valuable career advice, such as learning as much as you can about your field, saying yes to opportunities, and rooting costume design in reality as much as possible.
Once part of the Blitz Kids, a group of club-going Londoners known for their edgy fashions, the English native got her big break dressing Enya for the hit music video, "Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)." She went on to work with musicians such as Boy George, Annie Lennox, and George Michael before working in television, and later, film. Although she said she's always "just happened into things," the designer was trained in fashion design and garment cutting at Oxford, and studied for three years at London College of Fashion.
A four-time Emmy winner for her costume design on Game of Thrones, Michele discussed her approach and process for the fantasy drama series. She served as costume designer for the show's first through fifth seasons, stepping away during the sixth season to work on the historical drama, The Crown, for which she also won an Emmy. Michele returned to GOT for the seventh and eighth (and final) seasons.
She took the audience through various techniques used by her department, such as boiling textiles, embroidery, and using the backs of furnishing fabrics. In addition, Michele discussed some of her other projects, such as her recent work on Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, and the upcoming film, The Secret Garden, a 1940s period piece starring Colin Firth.
After her talk, she appeared in the FIDM Museum Shop, featuring the new collection of Game of Thrones jewelry, a collaboration between Michele and the renowned jewelry brand Yunus & Eliza. Perfect for cosplayers and fans alike, the Breaking Chains collection features chunky chain link necklaces, bracelets, pendants, and rings, as well as the iconic Mother of Dragons Chain. "It's jewelry but it's not pretty," Michelle said. "They're statement piece that show intention."
Nearby, some of Michele's costumes from Game of Thrones were on display as part of the 12th Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design exhibition at FIDM's Museum & Galleries. When asked what she hoped viewers take away, she said: "The standard of make and the thought that goes into it. They really are quite beautiful pieces. We've tried to be really thorough in the design so they stand up to close looks. I think it's really important that people get to see this."
Photography by Alex J. Berliner/ABImages
Categories: Film & TV Costume Design Jewelry Design
