Woodlands designer creates dress worn at Academy Awards
Woodlands resident Romy McCloskey, a renowned couture costume designer who runs Faden Design Studios, was given the opportunity to see her dress design strut down the red carpet.
Six days before The Academy Awards that aired this past Sunday, McCloskey received a Facebook notification from a friend suggesting she throw her hat into the mix to vie for the chance to design and create a dress for Oscar guest Sam Brinton, who is the head of Advocacy and Government Affairs for The Trevor Project, an American non-profit organization founded in 1998 focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth.
McCloskey, a Couture Costume Design and Hand-Embroidery Artist for film, television and private commissions known for her exceptional embroidery creations, reached out to Brinton who instantly sparked to her pitch to create something “very original” — beating out other name fashion designers.
Immediately, McCloskey ordered several yards of crimson red silk from her vendor who over-night shipped the fabric. She had Brinton send measurements and photos and the approval process began. Luckily, Brinton was quick to love McCloskey’s “Ruby Armor Warrior” concept with male and female influences and the dressmaking began!
McCloskey worked tirelessly, sleeping only three to four hours a night in the days leading up to The Academy Awards.
As a teen, McCloskey apprenticed with a master fashion designer and then went on to graduate from The Savannah College of Art and Design. Her artistic influences include Edith Head, Colleen Atwood, Dior and Alexander McQueen. She embroidered under the teachings of her great grandmother, grandmother and mother.
The day before the Oscars broadcast, McCloskey boarded a flight with her couture dress in tow. She arrived at The W Hotel in Beverly Hills where she said she and Brinton embraced like old childhood friends in the lobby. McCloskey waited as Brinton tried on the dress and was delighted (and relieved) when it fit like a glove.
“I’m so grateful to my husband, Jim, and our two boys for allowing me to basically move into my studio and contemplate, conceive and construct a couture gown and coordinating accessories in less than one week,” says McCloskey. “A project like this would normally take four weeks!”
McCloskey couldn’t stop smiling when she read in a recent Los Angeles Times article how actresses Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman stopped to praise Brinton’s choice of evening gown.
McCloskey is now back home working on a Welch Dragon embroidery that will be used for a client associated with the Outlander series. It’s just one of the many artworks she will create for clients both near and far. To learn more about the stunning art work of Romy McCloskey visit www.fadendesignstudios.com.