ILYSM chatted with Avery Plewes, the award-winning costume designer behind your favorite films The Craft and Ready or Not -- about her advice on entering the business and what shows we have to look forward to watching!
What drew you down the path of costume design? Did you ever consider becoming a traditional designer?
It was very organic. I was pursing fashion design and was hitting every road block possible. I ended up giving the industry a shot on a whim and it was love at first sight. There was an ease to costume that I had never felt before. I knew I was home!
A lot of our community is made up of emerging artists, what is your advice for people looking to get into your field of work? Is there a skillset you look for when bringing on assistants?
Someone who is good at problem solving, has a good eye, is Curious to learn and a self starter. There is always something to do.
What film (before your time) do you wish you had worked on and why?
What a Way to Go with Shirley MacLaine.
Favorite item of clothing or accessory you created for a character?
Grace’s wedding dress in Ready or Not. I have seen a lot of cosplay of the dress. I think it’s so cool that it has resonated with people so deeply.
Last thing you felt guilty about buying?
Proenza Schouler boots
What are you currently working on - what can we be on the lookout for?
I’m working on a mini series currently directed by Peter Berg called Painkiller about the Sackler family and the Opioid crisis in America. I have a movie coming out with HBO Max later this year called 8-Bit Christmas.
*Avery wears the ILYSM Tabi in Hydrangea
What is the name of a foundation or organization you are passionate about - and tell our community about how we can support it?
I work with an organization in Toronto called Inclusive Stylist Toronto which mentors young people trying to break into the industry. The film industry in Toronto is not reflective of the diversity we have in our city. IST is doing amazing work to change that.
Follow Avery on instagram @averyplewes
