Style Scoop Interview: Sarah Quillian

FIDM Student Sarah Quillian is a shoo-in for any costume contest she may be entering come Halloween--The Fashion Design Student has a special knack for making outrageous, eye-catching costumes!  How does she balance life as a FIDM student with her costume sewing?  It's all about priorities. "The majority of my money goes towards costumes--fabric and notions and supplies and equipment.  The rest of it goes towards gas to get to school and buying cheap fabric for school assignments," she says.  Here, she shares with us her style icon and the costume she's been dying to make.  --Angel

Name: Sarah Quillian
URL: www.adellacosplay.com
Job Title: Fashion Student
City: Huntington Beach
Current project: Homework
Five sites you must visit daily: Deviant Art, G-mail, my site (Adella Cosplay)... That's all I visit really.
FIDM Major and Grad year: Fashion Design, 2008
What was your first sewing project? A dress for myself when I was 14.
What is the most beloved item in your wardrobe? My jeans.  They're my only pair.

Describe your ideal shopping trip: There are several places I adore shopping. One is Shibuya 109 - it's a great store in the heart of Shibuya with floors and floors of clothes.  I'm too tall for most of their clothing but the designs are always mind-boggling and super cool!  The Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace has everything a girl could want.  When living in Vegas I made a point to stay away from The Strip, and particularly Caesar's Palace!  I love Boca Park in Vegas.  There is a strip at the back of Boca Park lined with boutiques and they have some of the cutest stuff imaginable!

Who is your style icon? Rose Bertin.  She is who most people consider the first fashion designer.  As Marie Antoinette's milliner, she was ahead of time with her designs.  She paved the way of 18th century French fashion, and is often times regarded as one of the key players in the Revolution.

Do you have a favorite Costume Designer? Milena Canonero is one of my favorite costume designers.  I first saw her work in Affair of the Necklace [starring Hilary Swank] and I've been a fan ever since.  She really outdid herself.

How do you make each costume your own? It really depends. Most of my costumes are reproductions of already existing artwork, so I attempt to be as accurate to the artwork as possible.  Little touches I put here and there are extra things like bead work, changes of fabric, etc. Mixing textures to draw interest is a big part of costuming and making the costume you want to create absolutely perfect.

What do you feel is your most important skill when it comes to costume making?  Knowing how to sew.  And not just basic sewing knowledge...a superior knowledge of fabric and the manipulation of it. You must be able to ask yourself, "How can I take this piece of fabric and turn it into that shape? What kinds of seams should I use?  What is the best way to make something look like that?"

Is there a particular costume you'd love to make? Any sort of 18th century gown. I love them so much, and as my favorite point of history I'd love to make one. For years I've made plans to make a robe a la francaise or even a polonaise.

What's next for Sarah Quillian? I'm attempting to get accepted into 3rd Year Film and TV Costume [Program].  I want to design costumes for film rather than theater.  That is my ultimate goal.  To be like Ngila Dickinson, or Milena Canonero, or even Colleen Atwood!