Reflections of a Costume Designer: A Q+A with Joni Sternberg
This week I had the pleasure of interviewing ex-costume designer Joni Sternberg. Joni has worked on numerous projects including High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2022), Welcome to Chippendales (2022), Homecoming (2020), and more. Learn more about the highlights of her career, and why she’s moving on down below!
Q: Can you describe your career path and what led you to become a costume designer and wardrobe stylist?
A: As a young girl I was obsessed with dressing up and putting together costumes. When I was a teenager I knew I wanted to work with fashion and trends. I felt like I was a trendsetter at high school. The other kids either feared me or copied me. I loved the duality of that idea. I never wanted to follow the norm. I went to school for fashion design and the week I graduated I got a job as a stylist for a tv commercial. From there my interest grew into costume design and film. The love of telling a story through wardrobe is so powerful.
Q: Can you describe what a typical workday looks like for you?
A: I’m not practicing anymore but no two days are alike in the industry. That’s kind of what I loved about it. It worked for my ADHD brain. Prep days normally start at a fabric shop or at a costume house. Shoot days normally we start early mornings on set making sure the actors looks are correct and everyone is happy. Then normally of to the malls to shop or back to the costume houses. Ending the day setting the costumes for the next day of shooting. The days are very very long.
Q: What did you enjoy most about your job, and what aspects do you find most challenging?
A: When you get a great crew and get to be creative it’s so rewarding and exciting. That’s the best part, making amazing friends that turn into family and seeing the costumes come to life. The most challenging is dealing with so many different personalities and emotions with often lack of sleep as the hours are long. Learning conflict resolution in the workplace seems imperative.
Q: Is there a particular project that stands out to you as especially memorable or significant? Could you share why?
A: To me it was the first film I costume designed for. It was hard, and we had a tiny budget but I had moments that were life changing. That feeling like I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do and killing it. The second best project was working on The Chippendales show for Hulu. I wasn’t the designer, I was a costumer on that show but I actually loved not having all the responsibilities and dressing all the background in the 1970’s and 80’s costumes. It was so creative and I adored my crew and the designer I was working for. We worked extremely hard but we had so much fun!
Q: What advice would you give yourself 5-10 years ago?
A: Loose the ego and remember you aren’t saving lives. Create healthy boundaries and if people don’t respect those boundaries, there are other great opportunities just around the corner.
Q: Are there any expectations you had about this career path that you have found differed from reality, in both a good or bad way?
A: Truthfully, I thought it would be more rewarding but it was one of the hardest, grueling jobs I’ve ever had. I didn’t expect it to be so cutthroat and hard as it was. It’s not glamorous in any way.
Q: How have the WGA and SAG strikes affected your career?
A: Changed it forever to be honest. After not getting work for over two months I decided to go back to school to study psychology in hopes to become a therapist. Maybe I’ll be helping all my fellow traumatized film crew people.
Q: What advice would you offer to someone aspiring to become a costume designer or to work in the film industry?
A: Prepare yourself for long hard days. Have thick skin, don’t take things personally, and have strong boundaries.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A: I have some amazing memories of working in the industry but to be honest, I’m SO glad to be getting out. I’m looking forward to my next chapter of life to be more of service and feel a true sense of purpose.
