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Patricia Field

Costume Designer

"The clothes are helping to tell the story, to define the character. I never tried to consciously create a trend. All I really ever did was try to make things look beautiful, and tell the story."

About This Interview

In her two-and-a-half hour Archive interview, designer Patricia Field talks about growing up in Manhattan and being business-savvy from an early age. She chronicles starting her own shop in the city and beginning a career in fashion design. She talks about her first job as a costume designer in film, and her early jobs in television on NBC's Crime Story and Shelly Duvall's Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme, for which she won her first Emmy Award. She discusses at length her role as designer for the long-running series Sex and the City and the impact the show's fashion had on popular culture. She details her design process and her role to "elevate" the story a little higher through beautiful clothing. She outlines other television shows on which she worked, such as Spin City and Ugly Betty, and her contributions to the film "The Devil Wears Prada" with Meryl Streep. She also gives her advice to aspiring television costume designers and discusses her future career aspirations. Bonnie Datt conducted the interview in New York City on October 18, 2011.

Related To This Video

  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Professions

Shows

  • Crime Story
  • Guiding Light
  • Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme
  • Project Runway
  • Sex and the City
  • Sex and the City: "An American Girl in Paris (Part Deux)"
  • Spin City
  • Ugly Betty

People

  • Michael J. Fox
  • Bob Mackie
  • Michael Patrick King
  • Darren Star

Topics

  • Creative Influences and Inspiration
  • Emmy Awards
  • Pop Culture

Professions

  • Designers

Featured Content

Video: Watch Sarah Jessica Parker in the tulle skirt Patricia Field chose in the opening credits of Sex and the City:

YouTube video player - HTML5 compatible.
  • Highlights
  • Interview
  • Shows
  • People
  • Topics
  • Genres
  • Professions

Highlights

  • Patricia Field on enjoying the storytelling character of costume designPatricia Field on enjoying the storytelling character of costume design
    Clip begins at: 02:48
  • Patricia Field on some signature costume choices from <i>Sex and the City</i>; the "Carrie" necklace Patricia Field on some signature costume choices from Sex and the City; the "Carrie" necklace 
    Clip begins at: 18:32
  • Patricia Field on how the fashion on <i>Sex and the City</i> became part of pop culture, and its impact on women "it broke down the uniform"Patricia Field on how the fashion on Sex and the City became part of pop culture, and its impact on women "it broke down the uniform"
    Clip begins at: 14:32, Duration: 01m 42s
  • Patricia Field on how the clothes became famous on  <i>Sex and the City</i>  but she still fought for hats: "if you want a sentence missing a word, take the hat off"Patricia Field on how the clothes became famous on  Sex and the City  but she still fought for hats: "if you want a sentence missing a word, take the hat off"
    Clip begins at: 37:20, Duration: 01m 38s
  • Patricia Field on the Versace gown that Sarah Jessica Parker wore in the finale of <i> Sex and the City</i>  and how it "heightened the sadness" of the scenePatricia Field on the Versace gown that Sarah Jessica Parker wore in the finale of  Sex and the City  and how it "heightened the sadness" of the scene
    Clip begins at: 09:00, Duration: 01m 38s
  • Patricia Field on being inspired by the characters on <i>Shelly Duvall's Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme</i> and its starsPatricia Field on being inspired by the characters on Shelly Duvall's Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme and its stars
    Clip begins at: 41:13
  • Patricia Field on working on <i>Spin City</i> as a costume designer; on working on a sitcom "it's theater"Patricia Field on working on Spin City as a costume designer; on working on a sitcom "it's theater"
    Clip begins at: 18:20, Duration: 01m 35s
  • Patricia Field on her advice to aspiring television costume designers: "identify your assets"Patricia Field on her advice to aspiring television costume designers: "identify your assets"
    Clip begins at: 39:51, Duration: 01m 11s

Interview

  • Part 1
  • Introduction
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On her childhood, parents and early life in Manhattan and Queens
    Clip begins at: 00:16
  • On learning about fabrics and clothing from her parents' dry-cleaning store in New York; on her education
    Clip begins at: 03:19
  • On her beginnings as a businesswoman; on working at department stores; on the development of her personal style and the type of clothing she sold at her store, "Patricia Field"
    Clip begins at: 11:48
  • On entering the field of costume design in films; "Lady Beware" and "He's My Girl"
    Clip begins at: 24:19
  • On transitioning to costume design for television on Crime Story (NBC); working with Michael Mann; on Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme with Shelly Duvall; on winning her first Emmy Award; on meeting Sarah Jessica Parker
    Clip begins at: 32:37
  • On how she came to be the Costume Designer for Sex and the City  after the pilot was shot
    Clip begins at: 53:05
  • Part 2
  • On not being influenced by other sitcoms on television; on how her two industries (fashion and costume design for TV) intertwine; on why she enjoys working in television; on how fashion helps to "tell the story"; on how her job is to respect the characters
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On her work as a costume designer on Sex and the City; on the success of the show resting in the casting by Darren Star; on each of the stars and the inspiration behind their character's costuming
    Clip begins at: 05:00
  • Patricia Field on some signature costume choices from Sex and the City; the "Carrie" necklace, the tule skirt, Jimmy Choos and Manolo Blahniks; on the impact the fashion was having on popular culture; on designers who became part of the show
    Clip begins at: 18:32
  • Part 3
  • On some of the more memorable fashion trends that Sex and the City created: the big flower, pearls
    Clip begins at: 0:0
  • On the impact Sex and the City had on women at the time, on having "fun with clothes"; on not anticipating trends; on her personal style; on the Versace gown in the finale; on where the SITC wardrobe is now
    Clip begins at: 04:52
  • On working on Spin City, Hope and Faith, Guiding Light, Ugly Betty
    Clip begins at: 17:11
  • On working on the film The Devil Wears Prada with David Frankel and Meryl Streep
    Clip begins at: 30:33
  • On how being in New York City her whole life has affected her style and taste; on her identity as a lesbian; on her advice to aspiring designers and career aspirations
    Clip begins at: 37:23

Shows

  • Crime Story
    • Patricia Field on the NBC show Crime Story, directed by Michael Mann, when she was the costume designer
      Clip begins at: 33:06
  • Guiding Light
    • Patricia Field on her role on Guiding Light as a wardrobe consultant 
      Clip begins at: 24:42
  • Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme
    • Patricia Field on being inspired by the characters on Shelly Duvall's Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme and its stars
      Clip begins at: 41:13
    • Patricia Field on designing the costume's for Shelly Duvall's Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme which also starred Jean Stapleton, Woody Harrelson, Art Garfunkel, Ben Vereen, Cyndi Lauper, and more
      Clip begins at: 37:15
    • Patricia Field on winning an Emmy for Costume Design for Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme; but she missed getting her award because she got lost
      Clip begins at: 43:00
  • Project Runway
    • Patricia Field on working on Project Runway with Heidi Klum
      Clip begins at: 36:21
  • Sex and the City
    • Patricia Field on how she came to be the Costume Designer for Sex in the City  after the pilot was shot
      Clip begins at: 53:05
    • Patricia Field on her doubts that Sex and the City would be a show people would watch
      Clip begins at: 54:57
    • Patricia Field on her work as a costume designer on Sex and the City; on the success of the show resting in the casting by Darren Star; on each of the stars
      Clip begins at: 05:13
    • Patricia Field on the color palettes she used on Sex and the City
      Clip begins at: 11:44
    • Patricia Field on her inspiration for the Sex and the City costume design and the budget for the show
      Clip begins at: 13:12
    • Patricia Field on some signature costume choices from Sex and the City; the "Carrie" necklace 
      Clip begins at: 18:32
    • Patricia Field on some signature costume choices from Sex and the City; the tutu and tank top in the opening sequence
      Clip begins at: 19:50
    • Patricia Field on the impact Sex and the City  was having on women's fashion as the show became popular
      Clip begins at: 23:46
    • Patricia Field on how designers became increasingly eager to send clothes to Sex and the City; on some of the designers that became staples such as Chanel, Manolo Blahnik
      Clip begins at: 26:24
    • Patricia Field on her process of costume designing for Sex and the City "it begins with the script"
      Clip begins at: 32:33
    • Patricia Field on how the writers on Sex and the City began writing to the fashion, such as an episode where "Carrie" says "I lost my Choos" (referring to Jimmy Choo shoes); the clothes became famous
      Clip begins at: 36:40
    • Patricia Field on some of the more memorable fashion trends that Sex and the City  created: the big flower, pearls
      Clip begins at: 00:34
    • Patricia Field on the impact Sex and the City  had on women at the time, on having "fun with clothes"; on not anticipating trends
      Clip begins at: 04:52
    • Patricia Field on hiding Sarah Jessica Parker's real-life pregnancy on Sex and the City with wardrobe and the challenges
      Clip begins at: 08:03
    • Patricia Field on her proudest achievement as costume designer on Sex and the City  and its impact on women "it broke down the uniform"
      Clip begins at: 13:50, Duration: 02m 24s
  • Sex and the City: "An American Girl in Paris (Part Deux)"
    • Patricia Field on the Versace gown that Sarah Jessica Parker wore in the finale of Sex and the City in Paris
      Clip begins at: 09:00
  • Spin City
    • Patricia Field on working on Spin City as a costume designer; on working on a sitcom "it's theater"
      Clip begins at: 18:19, Duration: 01m 36s
  • Ugly Betty
    • Patricia Field on the challenges of working on Ugly Betty: the producers; on how the "look" got established
      Clip begins at: 26:27, Duration: 04m 06s

People

  • Kim Cattrall
    • Patricia Field on Kim Catrall's costuming on Sex and the City  as "bigger than life"
      Clip begins at: 09:05
  • Kristin Davis
    • Patricia Field on Kristin Davis' costuming on Sex and the City  and her "Charlotte" character
      Clip begins at: 10:50
  • Michael J. Fox
    • Patricia Field on working with Michael J. Fox on Spin Cit y as a costume designer
      Clip begins at: 20:19
  • Sarah Jessica Parker
    • Patricia Field on Sarah Jessica Parker's influence on the costume design on Sex and the City and her inspiration for the character of "Carrie"
      Clip begins at: 06:30
    • Patricia Field on meeting Sarah Jessica Parker on the set of Miami Rhapsody; they would later work together on Sex and the City
      Clip begins at: 47:57
  • Heidi Klum
    • Patricia Field on working on Project Runway  with Heidi Klum
      Clip begins at: 36:21
  • Heather Locklear
    • Patricia Field on working with Heather Locklear on Spin Cit y as a costume designer
      Clip begins at: 19:55, Duration: 00m 24s
  • Bob Mackie
    • Patricia Field on winning an Emmy for Costume Design for Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme; but she missed getting her award because she got lost; on her personal pride for winning over designers she admired like Bob Mackie
      Clip begins at: 44:28, Duration: 01m 12s
  • Michael Patrick King
    • Patricia Field on working with Michael Patrick King on Sex and the City; he took over for Darren Star
      Clip begins at: 44:52
  • Kelly Ripa
    • Patricia Field on working with Kelly Ripa on Hope and Faith  as a costume designer
      Clip begins at: 21:17
  • Darren Star
    • Patricia Field on working with producer Darren Star on mulitple projects
      Clip begins at: 23:32
  • Meryl Streep
    • Patricia Field on working with Meryl Streep on The Devil Wears Prada as the costume designer
      Clip begins at: 31:36

Topics

  • Emmy Awards
    • Patricia Field on winning an Emmy for Costume Design for Mother Goose Rock 'n Rhyme; but she missed getting her award because she got lost
      Clip begins at: 43:00, Duration: 02m 40s
  • Pivotal Career Moments > Creative Influences and Inspiration
    • Patricia Field on how being in New York City her whole life has affected her style and taste
      Clip begins at: 37:23, Duration: 01m 27s
  • Pop Culture
    • Patricia Field on how Jimmy Choo became associated with Sex and the City fashion
      Clip begins at: 28:49
    • Patricia Fields on not anticipating the effect that Sex and the City  had on trends
      Clip begins at: 05:37, Duration: 00m 34s

Genres

  • Comedy Series
    • Patricia Field on working on Spin City  as a costume designer; on working on a sitcom and the different process than a drama "it's theater"
      Clip begins at: 18:19, Duration: 01m 36s

Professions

  • Designers > Costume Designer
    • Patricia Field on her inspiration for the Sex and the City  costume design, her color palette choices, and the budget for the show
      Clip begins at: 11:44
    • Patricia Field on Sex and the City "that show brought the fashion industry alive"
      Clip begins at: 31:01, Duration: 00m 22s
    • Patricia Field on her process of costume designing for Sex and the City  "it begins with the script"
      Clip begins at: 32:33
    • Patricia Field on how the writers on Sex and the City  began writing to the fashion, such as an episode where "Carrie" says "I lost my Choos" (referring to Jimmy Choo shoes); on how the clothes became famous themselves
      Clip begins at: 36:40, Duration: 02m 18s
    • Patricia Field on dressing the men on Sex and the City; on dressing extras
      Clip begins at: 39:46
    • Patricia Field on the role of fashion on Sex and the City  "you're not selling clothes, you're telling a story WITH clothes"
      Clip begins at: 43:53, Duration: 00m 30s
    • Patricia Field on her proudest achievement as costume designer on Sex and the City  and its impact on women "it broke down the uniform"
      Clip begins at: 13:50, Duration: 02m 24s
    • Patricia Field on working on Spin City  as a costume designer; on working on a sitcom
      Clip begins at: 18:19
    • Patricia Field on the decision to give Meryl Streep white hair in "The Devil Wears Prada"
      Clip begins at: 32:50
    • Patricia Field on her style and her approach to fashion as timeless
      Clip begins at: 34:00
    • Patricia Field on her advice to aspiring television costume designers: "identify your assets"
      Clip begins at: 39:51
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Submitted by LR342 on Sat, 2012-08-04 04:17.
What an amazing talent. Patricia Field is so engaging and articulate. Thank you so much for sharing her insight with the world.

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