Delayed But Definite
Costume designer Sandy Powell to receive Variety’s Creative Impact Award
Academy Award-winning costume designer Sandy Powell is headed to SCAD Savannah Film Festival to collect Variety’s Creative Impact in Costume Design Award on Oct. 24.
Powell was given the recognition last year, but was unable to be there in person. This year, the festival makes a full return to an in-person event, and Powell says she is definitely coming this year after last year’s absence.
“Of course I’m thrilled to be returning to Savannah for SCAD, honoured to be receiving the Variety Creative Impact Award,” she says.
Powell’s work in the industry spans three decades and counting. Martin Scorsese, Neil Jordan and Todd Haynes often call on her to create costumes for their films.
Powell’s encounter with filmmaker Derek Jarman in the early 1980s opened the door to her moving into costume design for film from theater. Her first film was his 1986 drama “Caravaggio,” starring Tilda Swinton.
“It was my first time on a film set of any description,” Powell says. “He took me around each department and explained what everybody did. I was 23 years old, very young.
“There was hardly any money, but everybody mucked in and did everything. It was fantastic — what I thought filmmaking was. It wasn’t until I moved on and started with other directors, I realized it wasn’t like that. Still, it was such brilliant grounding.”
The biggest misconception of costume design is people often think it’s about designing dresses, she says.
“I design more for men than women,” she says. “It’s not gowns. That’s what people think we do. It’s just as big a skill. It’s what doesn’t get recognized — the people wearing ordinary clothes — because everyone is looking at the sparkly number.”
Says Christina Routhier, SCAD Savannah fest topper, “The festival is honored to welcome the renowned costume designer, Sandy Powell to this year’s festival. Her remarkable career, dedication to her craft, and incredible designs are legendary throughout the industry and our students are honored to learn from such an iconic artisan.”