We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Edurne Fernandez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Edurne below.

Edurne, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I have always been interested in the arts since I was a little girl, but the first time I really appreciated and fell in love with costume design was in New York, sitting in the audience of the musical Wicked. I was very young at the time and wasn’t thinking about my future, but what I did know was that I wanted to be a part of that magical world. My first approach to design and theater was through dance. I joined a group of a mix of jazz, hip hop and contemporary dance and performed for about 5 years while I was in high school, but when I graduated I stayed on as a teacher. Every year Alicia –the lead choreographer and teacher who later became one of my best friends— and I would design all the costumes for about four groups for dance competitions. I think that’s when I thought of it as a career path. The feeling of witnessing my designs come to life and move on stage was mesmerizing. Then I thought fashion was the path to follow, so I studied textile design for my bachelor’s degree in Mexico City. I took a class called Costume Design and that was really my first approach to what is now my life’s passion and career. Then I worked for a year in theater in Mexico and decided to move to Los Angeles to continue my education. I graduated from CalArts with a Masters in Costume Design and here I am, living the dream! It’s crucial to have a genuine and a deep love for the art, because it’s not easy. It is always changing and evolving. Success in creative fields requires persistence and resilience. Rejection or setbacks are bound to come your way, but staying committed to your goals and learning from failures can lead to long-term success.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a freelance Costume Designer for stage and film. I am in charge of designing, sketching, sourcing, swatching and creating all costumes for actors and extras. This must be achieved within strict budgets and tight schedules. My work is key to defining the overall ‘look’ of films and shows. My job is to enhance a character’s personality, and to create a world through an evolving plot with the help of color, social status, or period through the design of garments and accessories. It is a demanding job that requires high skills in research and creativity as well as deep knowledge in fashion history. All these elements are used as inspiration to create new and unconventional worlds like Avatar, or to recreate a period in time that requires the correct and authentic detail from a specific time like The Crown.

I‘m also involved in practical affairs, such as budgets and schedules, script breakdowns, rental houses, shopping lists, costume continuity, among others. My job is to help the characters’ emotional journeys through the story with specific costumes for each situation. I work closely with the director to make sure that their vision comes to life the most authentic way and by matching the show’s narrative..

Costume designers possess a remarkable creative eye and attention to detail. They have a wide range of cultural knowledge based, not only in fashion history, but also art, literature, film, and textiles in addition to a strong sense of color.

Being a costume designer has helped me in a very intimate way because I have developed empathy and connection not only with the character I’m creating but with the people I encounter day by day. Learning how to put myself in each of their shoes and think: “Who is this person? What is my story? My background? Traumas, likes, dislikes? Issues?” What type of personality do I have and what are my goals in life?”, has helped me learn how to put aside judgment and stereotypes to really see and understand that we are all different. This is what I like about my job. I love to help the actor and director create their own version of each character and bring it to life from the page to the screen.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I believe that, as creatives, we are fortunate to have a platform where we can express ourselves, our thoughts, emotions and unique perspectives. We have the opportunity to create stories and communicate something deeply personal or to share our view of the world with others. That’s why I try to get involved in projects that I feel connected to and care about, and give a voice to those who don’t have one. One of my top priorities is to create work that resonates with the audience and conveys a message or emotion in an effective way. Through collaboration I want to bring to life stories that move, inspire or provoke reflection, raise awareness and challenge injustices. I also want to heal myself and help others through my work and create timeless pieces that continue to resonate with future generations.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Being the only artist in my family, I’m lucky that they’ve always supported me. Sometimes those within my close circle don’t quite understand why I enjoy a career with crazy schedules, locations in the middle of nowhere and tight budgets, but they can see how happy it makes me. I’ve also had to show them how to support me and my fellow artists. Little things like sharing and recommending our work as much as possible gives us exposure and more reach. Go to their exhibitions, watch their films, listen to their music and read their books, congratulate them and encourage them to keep going. Help them when they ask you to, donate to their art or buy their pieces. Being an artist is often a vulnerable path and it is not easy. You get exposed constantly and create things that are so deeply personal to present to the world with an open heart. That’s why it’s best to view our work with empathy and not judgment.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.edurnefernandez.com
• Instagram: @edurne_fdz
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/edurne-fernandez-b2627b112