Workshops
Ani Thing Costume Co. will host special guest workshops multiple times a year. These workshops will be a week long series featuring some of the best in the business of film and tv wardrobes from Canada and the United States.
Leslie Kavanagh our featured guest designer. Leslie is the designer of many top shows including “The Handmaids Tale” and “Clarice”. She will share her knowledge with our local designers, design assistants, Costume Supervisors, and Coordinators. Sharing her knowledge of design for feature films and tv. Teaching her insights into creating fast, beautiful, and functional designs.
Melenie Farrar is our costume builder. Melenie will instruct our local sewers, tailors, and pattern makers on the fast production of garments for film and tv.
Nathalie Gysel and Mary Louise Cunningham are two top buyers in Toronto’s tv and film industry. Nathalie’s talents can be seen in such features as Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley” and “ It Part II” with Jessica Chastain. Among her many credits, Mary Louise was the lead buyer on the series “Suits” where she shopped for Megan Markle now the Duchess of Sussex. Their workshop will be focused on tricks and tips for Styling, putting together a closet, and fast and efficient shopping techniques.
Alex Kavanagh is a renowned costume designer and breakdown artist. Her craft has been featured in many feature films and series over the years including “Saw II,III,IV, V, VI”. Alex will teach the art of transforming new costumes into aged garments telling the story of the film through that transformation using various dyes, mediums, and techniques. This breakdown process is a key element in conveying the passage of time and the story to the audience.
Karen Rodd is also our dye specialist and will lead the workshop on the art of transforming garments and raw materials from ordinary to extraordinary. Karen will teach the basics of dyeing both in natural materials such as silk and wool as well as the more challenging man-made textiles. She will pass on these valuable skills which can greatly open the possibilities of what costume design can offer to a project.
Connie Puetz is our shoe designer and maker. Many productions require very specific shoes. Period films need to tell an accurate time period through the wardrobe and it wouldn’t be complete without the shoes, boots, or even sandals. Connie will teach how to design the best footwear needed not only for the show's look but also for the movement and needs of the actor. From Roman sandals to period riding boots.