Costume Design Blog

About Me

My name is Jessica Risser-Milne and I’m a Costume Designer.

I grew up in a small town in the Midwest. I’ve made clothing since I was old enough to hold a needle without losing an eye in the process. I learned to sew aprons and dresses for my dolls (with help from my grandmother) before I started elementary school.

In the 6th grade, my mom helped me make my first full-sized dress from a pattern. I tried to take Home Ec classes in Junior High and High School, but quickly became frustrated by the teacher and what I considered to be a distinct lack of creativity. (In recent years I have developed a greater appreciation for the art of the embellished Home Ec Teachers’ work.)

Looking at my future prospects in teaching other bratty kids like me how to sew, I quickly escaped to the theatre (and yes, it is theatre; not theater!).

Since my junior year in High School, I’ve single-mindedly pursued the career of a professional Costume Designer. I was sidetracked briefly in undergrad by Stage Management, and between undergrad and grad school with a fantastically boring job in a co-op deli, but making tofu- and sprout-laden sandwiches quickly refocused my efforts back toward the theatre.Today, when I need a break from design work, I take jobs as a film Script Supervisor.

The focus, however, is (and always has been) Costume Design. The characters, the story, the fabric, and of course the community that develops around each and every production are key to keeping me sane.

I have a BA in both Art and Theatre from Goshen College, an MFA in Costume Design at Brandeis University, and managed to do what it took to join the Designers’ Union (IATSE – USA 829). You may have a look at my resume and photos from some productions at my main website.

Looking forward, I’m trying to get more into film and television work, because although I love the theatre, film and television are more fiscally helpful in paying off my student loans from grad school. I also have a great deal of interest in web-based projects and game design. Someday, I may even work toward book illustration. What it’s all about for me is that magical combination of the three elements that – when combined – bring me the greatest joy:

• Fabric
• Character
• Storytelling

Through this blog, I hope to share with you the love I have of the whole design process (which is really the process of bringing to life a story on the stage or screen), as well as bring you information that can help with your own development as a designer, your child’s school play (for which you’ve been volunteered to handle the costumes), or if you’re a non-designer better insight into the process of designing costumes and the true value we bring to your production.