Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1352017
hopes to eventually develop a green coalition with 892, so the whole department can work together to achieve sustainabil- ity. Curtis is also hoping to create a membership guide with a directory of sustainable resources for the entertainment industry. On Facebook, she has set up The Green Department, where members of both costume locals can share information with one another or let members know about leftover sup- plies, such as extra wardrobe boxes or ink, so they will not go to waste. In the works is a "Green Room" at the 705 build- ing in Studio City, a space where donated costume supplies will be available to members. In addition, Curtis is developing eco-kits for all costume needs: on-set kits, fitting room kits, distressing kits, and so forth. The new kits will substitute multiuse and more eco-friendly materials for single use items. Curtis can also be found on Instagram (@ TheGreenGarmentGeekGirl) where she has created a minise- ries called Little Green Table Talk. Guests so far include Irish costume designer Sinéad Kidao, custom-made costumer Jamie Frazer, and Canada-based production agency Green Spark Group, discussing their own sustainability efforts. Contact her directly for further information or to become involved. Toward a On every production, the costume department sees its share of daily piles of multicolored script pages, endless plastic water bottles, dry cleaning bags, plastic shoe bags, unused racks of new clothing, and the numerous "to go" containers from meals. How much of this can be restruc- tured, recycled, or better yet, reused? Georgina Curtis, dual cardholder in 892 and 705, wants to change the way costume departments use these and many other day-to-day items. Born in Germany, this British/Italian/Irish/Austrian designer began working in costumes 15 years ago. Her passion for going green started in her personal life. She experienced various styles of recy- cling and sustainable practices in different cities, and com- menced living in a dedicatedly sustainable and self-efficient way while on an island in the South Pacific. After moving to Los Angeles three years ago, Curtis observed the way the entertainment industry wasted materials, supplies, and even food. She felt the industry needed to be faster in moving into green production, and began by looking to her own department to develop more sustainable practices. While we already perform a certain amount of re-use in the way we utilize costume rentals and purchase pre-owned or vintage garments as part of our design process, she knows we can do more. Curtis hopes that fashion industry trends—like upcycling and new eco-friendly fabric and vegan leather options, made of bamboo, hemp, and even pineapple and cactus—will influence costume designers' choices as well. As she sees it, costume sustainability is really about being mindful and aware of our daily choices, and acknowledging that these choices, even though they may be challenging, have to be made in order to preserve our planet and personal health. So what else can we do? Curtis suggests that we as a costume community continue to educate, share tips, and develop resources for members to aid in going green. To this end, she has founded the 705 Green Committee, and by Ivy Thaide Greener Future 50 The Costume Designer Spring 2021