RH: Describe the process of designing and making a costume from start to filming close.
IM: A costume begins with the script. As mentioned above, the research into the character needs to be explored. Who are they? What state of mind are they in...and on and on. Once the actor is cast, a discussion with the director and the actor take place to collaborate as to how this character is going to be played. From there I come up with ideas of how this particular person would dress and either start to sketch or to pull already made clothing together for a fitting. It is here in the fitting room that the character appears and the actor leaves us.
It is a very exciting moment. It can be a particular dress, a pair of shoes, it can even be a particular belt that says, "Yes, this is what he/she is all about." From there we either make the costume, (choosing fabric, designing the details such as embroidery etc...) and continue to fit the costume to make sure it fits as we wish. From this point the costume goes on camera, and the set costumers care for the costume, as well as keep track of the continuity. When the film is done shooting the costumes are cataloged and stored until the film comes out.
RH: Tell us about the designing of the White Witch's wardrobe.
IM: The White Witch was the most challenging costume to design in the Narnia series. She was described one way in the book, but once Tilda Swinton was cast, we needed to adjust. Our wish was to maintain the essence of the White Witch, but to not force black hair and red lips on an actress that would make her look anything but regal. I had a very young and talented textile artist working for me, and together we experimented with different techniques to create the "Ice" inspired fabric and lace for her dress based on photographs of glacier cracking. Inspired by my then four year old son's Pokemon cards...I came up with the concept of her evolving throughout the story. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel like she had a closet with clothing in it. (She was not human after all.) As she lost her powers and the ice melted, so did her silhouette and so did her ice crown. It was a long process and many people were involved with the costume. - REF
http://teenink.com/nonfiction/celebrity_interviews/article/340973/Costume-Designer-Isis-Mussenden/
