EDITOR’S NOTE In our modern visual language, red symbolizes passion. But in the medieval lexicon, red was the most precious pigment. It is no wonder that noblemen and religious figures in 15th-century paintings were cloaked in crimson and ermine to illustrate their prestige. In actuality, the color was made from the South American cochineal insect. The pigment was extracted by artisans in medieval guilds that defended the formula with their lives; trade secrets were not passed on, they were coveted and guarded. In what seems to be another universe, obscure information is a Google search away and there are university curriculums dedicated to disseminating knowledge freely. But some lessons can only be absorbed on the job, or under the tutelage of a master. I find mentorship to be a deeply resonating theme in our Guild, and I am delighted to bring it to your attention in this spring issue. I would go so far as to say that we are shaped by our mentors because they define the edges of what we think is possible. Work is so often just that—work. But occasionally, the transcendent happens. Not unlike a rocket needs boosters to clear the weight of the atmosphere, sometimes a mentor makes the difference between a career launch and remaining earthbound. After many conversations with our members, I’ve learned that mentorship relationships are often extensions of lives lived magnanimously, rather than deliberate choices or “work.” If we are lucky enough to be a mentor or mentee, we experience a beautiful, self-perpetuating cycle of generosity and gratitude, which is the cornerstone of what our Guild represents. I feel fortunate to have called Theadora Van Runkle my mentor in art and in life. Thank you, Thea, for your example and encouragement, which carries me to this day.
costumedesignersguild.com EDITOR IN CHIEF
Anna Wyckoff
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Bonnie Nipar Christine Cover Ferro PRESIDENT
Salvador Perez
sperez@cdgia.com VICE PRESIDENT
Cate Adair
cadair@cdgia.com SECRETARY
Ivy Thaide
ithaide@cdgia.com TREASURER
Nanrose Buchman
nbuchman@cdgia.com EXECUTIVE BOARD
Mary Vogt
mvogt@cdgia.com
Christopher Lawrence clawrence@cdgia.com
July Weiss
jweiss@cdgia.com
Mona May
mmay@cdgia.com
Anna Wyckoff awyckoff@cdgia.com
Phillip Boutté Jr.
Costume Illustrators Representative pboutte@cdgia.com
Kristine Haag
ACD Representative khaag@cdgia.com LABOR REPRESENTATIVES
Betty Madden Sharon Day
BOARD ALTERNATES
Kristin Burke
kburke@cdgia.com
Thank you International Silks and Woolens Location of our cover photo shoot ISW was established in September 1969 by Nahum Zimmer, Paul Mandel, Salim Israwi, and Nandor Markovic, all of whom have now retired. Presently, the Israwi brothers: Salim, Souhail, and Safwat run the store. ISW has always partnered with and been an advocate of the Costume Designers Guild.
Jennifer Soulages
jsoulages@cdgia.com
Lyn Paolo
lpaolo@cdgia.com
Terry Gordon tgordon@cdgia.com BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Jacqueline Saint Anne jsaintanne@cdgia.com
Cliff Chally
chally@cdgia.com
Barbara Inglehart
bingleheart@cdgia.com ALTERNATE TRUSTEE
Dorothy Amos
damos@cdgia.com EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Rachael M. Stanley rstanley@cdgia.com
MEMBER SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR
Suzanne Huntington
shuntington@cdgia.com RECEPTIONIST/SECRETARY
Cecilia Granados
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The Costume Designer Spring 2015
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