Today, I turn this blog over to Dark Matter Costume Designer Noreen Landry who not only happens to be an incredible talent but, really, one of my very favorite people to work with. Her costume meetings are always the highlight of any given prep week and I honestly can’t imagine doing the show without her and her amazing team.

On to her fan Q&A…

Ponytail writes: “For the lovely Noreen Landry, I’d like to know: Where do you get your ideas for the costumes?”

NL: Hi Ponytail, Thanks for your question.

My ideas for the costumes come from the wonderful scripts. I have made a point not to see any other Sci Fi movies or TV shows while I am on Dark Matter. I want the first images to be created from the script, not outside influences. Next step is research and more research, images, fabrics, more photos, and then usually the ideas come when I am driving or walking. I sketch my ideas with pastels and markers.

“How old were you when you learned to sew?”

NL: I learned to pattern draft and sew when I studied fashion design in the mid 80’s. On Dark Matter, I have a talented sewing room headed by the very gifted cutter, Anita, and my lead sewer, Jane, so I do not sew myself.

“What is your favorite color to work with? (I’m guessing black)”

NL: My favorite color….oh my I love all colors. Every color creates a feeling, sets a tone. Dark Matter’s palette does revolve around a lot of black grey and very muted tones.

“Would you rather design for a male or female character? “

NL: It really doesn’t matter if it’s male or female characters. I enjoy it all.

Rascilion writes: “”I had a question about Five’s normal ship-side costumes. Why does she wear clothing that looks contemporary to 2016, as opposed to the rest of the cast that has a generally more futuristic aesthetic? What inspired this somewhat anachronistic look?””

NL: Hi Rascilon. When I read the 1st script, the image of 5 came to me as color, lots of color. S he was the heart of our world, a character easy to connect to in a world of mistrust and confusion. The contemporary colorful costumes just added to this sense of the familiar and trust.

MaggieL80 writes: “”For Noreen:First show you ever worked on?”

NL: Hi Maggie. The first show I work on was Counterstrike starring Christopher Plummer.

“Favorite costume that you have designed for Dark Matter?”

NL: My favorite costume yikes that’s hard. I can’t answer it.

“What does your closet look like?”

NL: My closet is a mess…I love clothes way too much.

“Favorite shoes?”

NL: I love by boots.

gildermcc writes: “Hi, Noreen! Volunteer creator, former wannabe designer, here. Give me a shout if you need a quick crocheted cap or scarf…”

NL: Hi gildermcc. Right now, I do not need anything crocheted, but you never know what the future holds.

MaggieMayDay writes: “For Noreen: how do your source your fabrics? Online, or do you go on shopping trips where you can get a literal feel for the textures and weight? Do you have a huge fabric stash, just in case? How many original pieces a week do you come up with, and how much “repurposing” of stock/standard clothing items do you do?”

NL: Hi Maggiemay. We do source fabrics on line but I like to feel the fabrics before we purchase them. I have a lot of fabrics and leather in the studio. Great fabrics are not easy to find so when we see something great, we pick it up.

How many costumes new costumes we make in a week really depends on the script for that episode. Usually around three but it could be as high as six. We really do not reuse a lot because our characters have been known to return, even from the dead.

ceresis64 writes: “Is there a certain style that you like to use to influence a design?”

NL: Hi Ceresis. The wonderful thing about designing costumes is that you can use lots of different styles depending on the character, from broken down miners to sleek ferrous corp guard and strong, sexy androids. I love the work of Iris Van Herpen and Jean Paul Gauthier.

Debra writes: “Debra writes: “No question for Noreen Landry, just a note of appreciation for women who look strong, or strong and sexy, but not sleazy. Love the costumes!”

NL: Hi Debra. Thank you very much for your lovely compliment. It is very important to me to create strong beautiful sexy costumes for woman.

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