Alumni
Grad Was a Costume Designer For Cicely Tyson
Born and raised in San Jose, California, Diana Tenes worked at the famed Joseph Magnin department store on San Francisco’s Union Square and studied Fashion Design at FIDM in San Francisco and Los Angeles. She’s worked in the industry since the mid-1990s, and was a costume designer on the 2006 indie film, Fat Rose & Squeaky, starring the late Cicely Tyson. Diana later attended San Francisco State University, where she received a B.A. in Art, and was trained as an esthetician and makeup artist. We recently caught up with her to learn more about her inspiring journey, favorite FIDM memories, and working with a Hollywood legend.
When did you first realize you were creative? I won art contests at St. Mary’s Catholic grade school. I would paint, draw, sketch, and write poetry and stories at home. I made my Troll Dolls clothes, accessories, and rooms for them out of cigar boxes. I taught myself to bead a tiny bedspread and clothing for them. I’d listen to musicals and memorize the songs. I was given an art studio (the basement where the janitor kept his supplies) in the seventh and eighth grade. A friend and I made the graphics, backdrops for plays, birthday and congratulations cards, and certificates for teachers and staff. We made placemats, posters, decorations for school luncheons, parties and events. I spent all my recess time and after school producing these things by hand. At 13, I decided to act and auditioned for a play. I was Maid Marian in Robin Hood. We toured during the summer at recreation centers.
What was your path to FIDM? I applied for a FIDM scholarship contest my senior year of high school and was a finalist. The next year, I won a grant that covered FIDM tuition and supplies for two years so I moved from San Francisco, where I attended one semester, to the downtown Los Angeles campus.
Any favorite memories or highlights? One best memory was the fashion show competition for graduating students. Each Fashion Design Graduate came up with two finished garments. They were hung in a closet without names and judged. Since there were so many students, there was a limit on garments in the fashion show. Some students got one piece selected or none. I had both of my garments chosen by celebrity judges, including Bob Mackie, Ray Aghayan, and Marion Kops. I won the Peacock Award for Outstanding Fashion Design.
How did you break into costume design and wardrobe work? I worked in costume shops in Hollywood. I once re-beaded Diana Ross’ stage gown when she was performing nearby. Nobody wanted to work on it! I started doing costumes for theatre productions. I worked on Oliver Twist. Ron Pallilo was starring in the play who was part of the cast of Welcome Back Kotter. They all came to see him in the show, including John Travolta. I continued to do freelance design for individuals and make samples for manufacturers in the fashion industry.
What was it like working with the late Cicely Tyson on Fat Rose & Squeaky? Miss Tyson was 80 years old, a fashion icon, model, actress, philanthropist, and a legend at the time I worked with her. I was excited and a bit intimidated. She was quiet, reserved, a very private person. She was old school Hollywood. I was the costume designer and the costume department. I designed a few things for her and got most of her wardrobe and accessories from my closet. To round out her wardrobe, I bought her a silk blouse from Ross, which I paired with a skirt from designer Babette in San Francisco. I bought some fun cocktail rings from Kmart. We were exactly the same size, including shoes and bra. The producers wanted her character and style to be colorful and it was fun to dress her up in my vintage finds. I was blessed to be able to work with Miss Tyson, Louise Fletcher, Lea DeLaria, and Julie Brown.
What do you most love about working with makeup and face paints? I enjoy matching skin tones and love color. I enjoy trying out different techniques and products. I like to come up with a palette of colors and products to go with the personality and lifestyle of a client. It’s always fun to meet new people. With makeup and face paints, you use colors and brushes in different ways.
What are some of the most unique or memorable makeup/effects work you've done? The first film I worked on had a drag queen. It’s a lot of work to make a six-foot tall man into a woman. About a week before the scene, the producer called and said the makeup artist would not be there that day. He asked if I would do the makeup! At first I was horrified. Then I decided I would take on the challenge and thought it would be fun. I got MAC Cosmetics to sponsor me and researched how to do drag makeup, practiced on the actor, and was ready to go. The day of the shoot, the makeup artist showed up with her replacement makeup artist! She was giving me dirty looks and told the other makeup artist I was only a costume designer not a makeup artist. We decided I would do the drag makeup and the other makeup artist would do everyone else. I was quite nervous but confident in my newly acquired skills and brought notes. She hovered over me with each brush stroke, but kept asking, “How did you learn how to do that?” I said, I practiced, researched. That’s how I started doing makeup.
You've also worked as an actress, author, and in the theatre. How do you balance all of your creative pursuits? I worked freelance and would choose the job I wanted to work on. On occasion they would overlap and that would be difficult. But overall I enjoyed the variety. I did the same as a child. I’m pursuing creativity through all available channels. I balance by taking care of my health: mental, physical, emotional, spiritual. I eat vegan, do yoga, walk, and dance.
What advice would you share with someone looking to pursue costume design or beauty? Follow your heart. Learn negotiating and business skills. Ask for what you want and follow through. Remember to get references and recommendations and photos of your work. It is best to use a professional camera or photographer to document your work. You have to learn to trust your own judgement, but don’t become a monster. No one wants to work with pushy, demanding people. Show up early, be prepared, learn from others. There is always something to learn.
Learn more at imakefaces.com and on Instagram @get_your_happy.
Photography by Steve Cozart
Categories: Fashion Design Alumni
