The Unraveling Role of the Costume Designer

I would like to applaud Valli Herman-Cohen’s article (“Masters of Anonymity,” Women’s Fall Fashion, Aug. 19) on the diminishing respect for costume design in the film industry. The desire on the part of many involved in the filmmaking process to include what is in fashion constantly skews the creative guidelines by which costume designers have traditionally made their choices.

As a costume designer whose passion is portraying real people in real clothes, I am constantly having to ward off forces pressuring me to dress waitresses, secretaries and insurance salesmen in unrealistic outfits costing thousands of dollars. Fashion corporations and style magazines are leading the charge to get designer clothing on the stars regardless of the impact on the film. Costumes are an integral vehicle for establishing character and story. The costume designer’s job is to translate the vision of the writer and director into characters that an audience can believe. It is an unfortunate climate indeed that we must continually navigate to perform our role.

Terry Dresbach

Pasadena