The Costume Designer of Sterling Point Reveals What the Most Challenging Item to Find Was.

      Welcome to The Who What Wear Podcast, your direct connection to the designers, stylists, beauty specialists, editors, and influencers who are influencing the fashion and beauty landscape. You can subscribe to The Who What Wear Podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

      In this episode, costume designer Marissa Schwartz discusses mastering Gen Z style. Schwartz entered the world of styling while studying fashion. “One day, I approached a stylist speaking at an event and asked if I could assist her,” Schwartz recalled. “She was fantastic and has been a wonderful mentor who introduced me to styling.” In the latest episode of The Who What Wear Podcast, Schwartz talks about how she secured her position on the Amazon Prime Video series Sterling Point, the most challenging piece to source for the show, and much more. Scroll below for highlights from the conversation.

      How did you first get into costume design and develop your passion for fashion?

      As a child, I was very creative and drawn to colors and textures, eager to craft shows from a young age. I was fortunate to participate in theater during my upbringing, which taught me about character and storytelling. Like many young women, I viewed fashion as a means of expression and a way to fit in. I graduated high school feeling a bit lost and uncertain about my next steps, especially since most peers were pursuing academic degrees that didn't resonate with me. I was lucky my parents encouraged me to follow my instincts, which led me to fashion school focused on merchandising, leaning more toward the retail aspect of fashion. After completing that program, I realized styling was the area I wanted to delve into, even though there wasn’t much guidance on pursuing it as a career.

      One day, I approached a stylist at an event and inquired about assisting her. She was remarkable and has remained a key mentor who propelled me into the styling world. I started in fashion print and editorial, which I loved, but as print began to decline, I became uncertain about its viability for my future. I decided to return to school for makeup, which I developed a passion for later in life. That program had a strong focus on film and TV, and there, everything clicked. I discovered a path that combined my love for fashion, storytelling, and creativity, and from that moment, things began to take off.

      Can you explain how you got involved with Sterling Point and why you were drawn to this project?

      One day, I unexpectedly received a call from our lovely producer Anna Beben. This job wasn’t initially one I should have been recommended for since it was tied to a different union. In Toronto, we operate under two unions, and I wasn’t part of the one associated with this production at the time. They were struggling to find the right candidate, which prompted them to consider candidates outside the usual union pool. It was later revealed to me that my name had been shared thanks to Louie Hayes, our producer from LuckyChap, who reached out to his Toronto network linking me to them based on positive feedback he had received. I’m eager to find out who referred me and express my gratitude, as I had never met them before.

      What kind of research did you undertake to ensure authenticity in representing Gen Z style without making it ridiculous or overly exaggerated?

      Ultimately, many adults often contribute to shaping the visual representation of youth culture. For me, several key factors were vital. I explored TikTok and Instagram, saving videos and images to better understand the aesthetic and interests of this demographic. Another critical consideration is that people are individuals with unique ways of self-expression. When creating a character, regardless of age, I ask myself what I know about them from the script and how I can embody that.

      Additionally, there are other elements to consider, such as their demographics, living environments, and socioeconomic backgrounds, all of which inform my decisions. Also, our cast members were invaluable in guiding me and ensuring we strayed away from clichés associated with Millennials. A significant aspect of my process is collaborating closely with actors because they ultimately need to embody their characters authentically.

      What was the most challenging piece to find for the show?

      The most difficult piece was the bathing suit that Annie wears in [episode 4] during the sauna scene with Rory. We ended up having to create it from scratch, which was a creative endeavor I thoroughly enjoyed. I believe I will be making all future bathing suits from now on. We explored numerous options, but to meet the specific functional requirements, we found that off-the-shelf swimwear wasn't suitable. Constructing it from the ground up involved multiple fittings and a lot of trial and error. Anyone in fashion or costumes would agree that the simpler a design appears, the more challenging it is to execute due to the lack of room to disguise imperfections.

      This interview has been edited and streamlined for clarity.