Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The Psycho Seamstress


Meet Gina Van Epps, AKA: Psycho Seamstress. Armed with a wicked sense of style and the skills to go with it, this New Yorker has created quite the name for herself. I got the privilege of sitting down with the A-list designer at her studio in Orlando to discuss her work. 





"As a professional "A List" wardrobe seamstress, I am grateful to say, I am living my dream! It sounds like a glamorous job, I get paid to play in the touring closets of some of the top names in music. Realistically, my job includes everything from doing laundry, steaming, ironing, picking lint, cleaning and polishing shoes, repairing and altering costumes, taping boobs and butts to prevent wardrobe malfunctions, helping sweaty people peel out of soaked costumes and cram them into the next one, in fire drill fashion and spraying worn garments with vodka while resisting the urge to add orange juice and drink the leftovers. I can't lie, it's a blast!"







Q: When did you get your start as a professional seamstress? 

A: My little Italian Grandmother started teaching me how to knit, sew and crochet about the age of 8. 
The ONLY official sewing class I've ever taken was in High School Home Economics class.
Everything after that was self taught and learning by watching and working with others, 
doing research on techniques and reading books. After High School I started making my own clothes,
when other people asked where I got my outfit, when I told them I made it, they wanted me to make something
for them. Then, it was by word of mouth. In about 2009 I started using the name Psycho Seamstress and started
a MySpace and later a Facebook page. I also started advertising on Craig's List, which remains a steady source
of work. My first A List wardrobe gig was when AEG needed a seamstress for a week of rehersals when
"So You Think You Can Dance" was launching their tour from Orlando. After that I began picking up all of the 
A List Artists that came through the Amway Arena and then also started working at other major concert venues on request. 




Q: How long did it take for you to become established?

A: I really began making a name for myself in late 2011 on the A List circuit, by 2013 I was getting enough work
to quit my day job. In June, I found studio space near downtown Orlando and opened the only Fashion Design House in 
Orlando, to my knowledge. By October I became booked thru January and had enough work to fund a partner full time. 




Q: How would you describe yourself as a designer?

A: I am not so much a "sit around and doodle stuff, then make it" type of Designer. My entire career thus far has
been about taking the concepts of my clients and working with them to create the design they have in their mind. 
Everything I do is custom and made to order. I don't really aspire to have factories making 1,000's of my designs, 
I would rather have 1,000 people wearing the one thing I made special for them. 







Q: How many hours is a 'typical' work day for you?

A: On an average day, I try to be up and dressed and in my studio by noon and I will often work until about 2 in the morning. When there is a time crunch, deadline or concert tour, I my average work day is about 16 hours.





Q: What are your responsibilities on any given day? 

A: On a daily basis I meet and talk with clients, designers & seamstresses, work on design concepts and measure people I am making garments for. I spend time figuring out the engineering on how certain projects will need to be constructed, which sometimes requires some trial and error. I am frequently shopping for fabric and notions. I also do a lot of research and update my social media late into the night, For example, right now it's 1:20 am. The late hours of the night are really a very creative and productive time for me. During the day I get a lot of phone calls and interruptions that don't happen as often at night except from my other night owl friends!



Q: Other than sewing, what are some important skills to have when doing this line of work?

A: For me, it has been fortunate that I have spent a great deal of time in Sales and Marketing which has allowed me to become shameless at promoting myself. My background in Management of everything from projects to personnel helps me choose the right clients, coworkers and keep projects on timeline and budget. I have also done accounting, managed contracts and worked a lot in customer service, retail fashion, visual merchandising and I am also an artist, so I do paint a lot in my fashion. My 27 year background in the music business has also come into play. I have been able to combined many of the things I love to do in serving my clients.







Q: Your job requires you to work with all types of people, including celebrities. What sort of problems do you face & how do you handle them?

A: I would have to say that the biggest thing to remember when working with celebrities is that contrary to popular belief, I can't just stroll up to them and ask for a photo, autograph, tickets to their show or other perk. In fact, I would likely get fired on the spot. A lot of things happen backstage that expose you to their personal life, their friends, their family and so on. You've been allowed to get close to someone who thousands of fans would pay big money to experience. You've got to respect that celebrities confidence in you. In doing that you can earn a reputation as being trustworthy, once that has been established in conjunction with a being able to provide onsite services, then you've got yourself a career. 



Q: What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursing a career in wardrobe, but doesn't know where to begin? 

A: I would say learn some basic sewing skills and then get in contact with your local school, college or theater program. You may need to start out as a volunteer, but get all the experience you can. Once you have accomplished that start using social media to highlight your work.


Q: What is something you would share about your job that most people wouldn't know about?

A: I would have to say that living their dreams is not something many people are willing to choose for themselves. I got to a point in my life, when I realized how easy it was for me to make money for other people. How easy it was for me to believe in their company, their skills, their products and sell to their customers. I had people telling me how talented I was, I saw people making money doing what I wanted to do and realized there was room in there for me. Taking a leap of faith, quitting my day job and investing in my own hopes and dreams was the best decision I have ever made in my life. Finally I am doing something on purpose with intent and not just letting life happen to me. 2013 has been an amazing year for me. I am surrounded by people who are talented, creative and inspired by my vision. I wake up every morning excited about my day and I look forward to being in an environment that brings art, music, dance, performance, acting, props, set design and entertainment to a higher level. I like being a part of that. It is artistic expression and fulfilling to help someone else bring their vision from concept to creation. 





If you would like to know more about Gina's career, follow her @Psychoseamstress

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Friday, May 24, 2013

Universal Entertainment's Annual Golden Woody Awards 2013 Gown Ideas



This is an exclusive award ceremony that commemorates those in entertainment at Universal Orlando. This will be my first time attending & it means a great deal to me. This year's theme is Film Noir. I drew fashion inspiration from my favorite actress, Kate Winslet. I've pretty much decided on the dress, but I thought it would be fun to tantalize you with options. Feel free to leave a comment if there is a particular dress you like/don't like.
2013 Universal Studio's Woody Awards

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Recreation of Katy Perry's Peppermint Dress








Creating the Fabric

Glitter dust & spray adhesive 77 on white satin swatch: Looks exactly like the glitter white fabric on the Katy Perry's peppermint dress. 
**GARMENT CARE NOTE** over time glitter will clump and collect dirt. Fabric should never be submerged in any solution or water. Dry cleaning is optional. A dry or damp cloth will work. Spraying vodka solution will kill bacteria without harming the textile.
Glitter satin swatch. I used an adhesive spray & then sprinkled glitter dust (extra fine grain) after it dried, I sealed it with Plasti Dip spray (prevents glitter from shedding - too much )
Pinning the lining of the bodice together.
Surge bodice panels & sew together.
Interfacing was used to create that stiff look

Creating the straps.


Creating the Peplums























*Special Thanks to Skeet Karsgaard for creating the candy pieces.