Meet Yi-Lun Chien

We were lucky to catch up with Yi-Lun Chien recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yi-Lun, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

There is a lot more than just being creative when talking about what a costume designer’s job is. My experience working as a set costumer brings me a complete understanding of how a production works, how to communicate with the team, and how to predict problems. I expanded my comfort zone through each project, and all the mistakes I made have made me an even more thoughtful costume designer when thinking about what to put on characters.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I stepped into the world of costume design through my first job, working as a costumer on a film about a baseball team set in 1930s Taiwan. It was a really tough experience. Worked long hours, freezing during rainy scenes in cold weather, and sweating under the scorching sun while rushing to add dirt to the actors’ pants for continuity. I questioned myself many times about whether this was really what I wanted to do. But I realized I’m obsessed with the feeling of fulfillment when I see all the hard work come together on the big screen.

Working on the international collaborative team of Silence (2016), directed by Martin Scorsese, further shaped my path. The film is set in 17th-century Japan, with most of the shooting locations in Taiwan, and that experience ignited my desire to work globally and become a costume designer.

I went to CalArts to study costume design and graduated in 2024. I wouldn’t say it’s an easy time to enter the Hollywood industry, especially after the pandemic. However, I see opportunities to hone myself by working in high-paced mini-series as a lead costume designer. My costume design work has appeared on different platforms, including ReelShort, DramaBox, Vigloo, and StardustTV.

Beyond mini-series, I’m eager to expand my comfort zone, which led me to New York to work as a Costume PA on a feature film titled Lucky Lu. I love how my work constantly brings me to unexpected places, and I feel that same burning excitement even during the coldest months of the year in New York while participating in that production.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

The first quality I think is essential is to work hard. From reading scripts, doing script breakdowns, researching, shopping or building costumes, and conducting fittings, to fully developing characters and bringing them to life on screen, you have to work hard enough to truly immerse yourself in the story.

The second quality is resilience. The costume department often receives the most notes from clients, producers, directors, and actors, and many of these opinions can point in different directions. However, I’ve learned that my initial instinct often serves the design and the story best. Being resilient throughout the process while still trusting yourself is crucial.

Film is not built by just one department. Listening carefully to the director and understanding what other department heads are thinking can greatly elevate what you design.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

As a costume designer and storyteller, I bring characters to life by articulating their social identities and cultural backgrounds. I’m dedicated to supporting the narrative by crafting authentic characters and creating visual balance for the frame or stage through the use of color, texture, and silhouette. I’m always open to collaborating with members of the creative community who are interested in exploring the vibrant world of storytelling together.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

RAFAEL HERNANDEZ

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