Course Duration March 2026 - April 2026Costume Design for Entertainment with Jenn Rogien
I completed an intensive Costume Design course taught by Jenn Rogien, an acclaimed costume designer known for her work on the television series Orange Is the New Black, Russian Doll, and Girls.
Over the course of six weeks, I completed a variety of hands-on assignments that provided valuable insight into the costume design process for film and television. Coming from a fashion industry background, the class expanded my understanding of how costumes are developed for the screen, where garments are often sourced, altered, aged, and styled rather than created entirely from scratch.
The primary script analyzed throughout the course was Only Murders in the Building, featuring Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. Through script analysis, character breakdowns, budgeting, sourcing, and costume planning exercises, I gained practical experience in the creative and logistical aspects of costume design. The following projects represent some of the work I am most proud of from this course and show how I translated character, story, and script requirements into cohesive costume concepts
COSTUME BREAKDOWN/ MOOD BOARDS
Charles was portrayed as a sarcastic, nonchalant, and washed-up actor with a detached, solitary nature. To reflect his personality, I developed a wardrobe centered on understated pieces such as jeans, sweaters, blazers, and Kango hats. A muted color palette and repeated silhouettes reinforced his relaxed, unassuming presence while supporting the character's preference for routine and isolation.
NYPD Uniform Acquisition Options
Oliver was portrayed as a quirky theater director, devoted grandfather, and the comic relief of the group. Although financially struggling, he maintained a distinctive sense of style, often centered around his beloved statement coat. I envisioned his wardrobe as refined and slightly editorial, featuring unique, high-quality pieces with a strong emphasis on green tones to reflect his vibrant personality.
Mabel was portrayed with a sarcastic and standoffish vibe paired with a mysterious edge.As a knitter and the youngest of the group, her wardrobe leaned more contemporary and seasonal, incorporating knitwear, beanies, boyfriend jeans, slouchy tees, Doc Martens, and quilted puffer coats. Her overall look felt trend-driven yet grounded in practicality.
For this assignment I researched how to acquire the ‘scripted’ NYPD uniforms that are appropriate for the scripted action, location, and season. I included renting and buying options for sourcing this specialty costume, the cost of each, the lead time of each and any other practical considerations for each approach.
BUDGET
For this assignment, I developed a detailed budget using Excel, cross-referencing all sourced costume items while tracking vendor information, pricing, and availability. I also accounted for production needs such as duplicates for stunt use, hero pieces and everyday essential wardrobe items for each character.
Principle Character Looks
This was my favorite assignment, as I was only allowed to use pieces from my own wardrobe to bring the character to life. I conducted fittings and made thoughtful adjustments while maintaining the overall character aesthetic and design direction. I submitted five looks, including sleepwear, ensuring each outfit reflected a cohesive visual language. Using a stand-in model, I communicated the intended character essence so that posing and styling further supported the character’s personality.