Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1529398
MOTIONPICTUREC O S T U M E R S .O R G 21 Mitome moved to LA because "It's a hub of entertainment, from Hollywood movies to music, and I had a vague dream of someday working in costumes. Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures, attracting people from various countries and regions. I wanted to work and interact with individuals who have different backgrounds from my own!" After earning her degrees and working several internships, Mitome worked to keep making film and fashion connections and had to learn how to get involved in both paid and unpaid costuming projects to keep her work visa status. "I knew about the existence of the Motion Picture Costumers union but I had no idea how to get into it and I tried as many costuming opportunities as I could. It took me quite a long time PHOTO: STEVE ROOD to join Local 705 but finally, I got a great opportunity to have a job interview at Bill Hargate Costumes in July 2021!" Mitome earned her qualifying days through Hargate and appreciated her opportunity working with highly skilled Custom Made members. "I got inspired and motivated from them. The costumes the company creates are mostly custom-made, building from scratch, and alterations for high-profile actors from films and television. I learned so much of sewing techniques, [and had] opportunity to work on various fabrications, sewing accurately for unique designs and details. I really appreciate that I got a great opportunity to be a part of team Hargate." Mitome met artist Lun*na Menoh, also from Japan, in 2010 through a friend who was working as Menoh's assistant and, fortunately, it was around the time that Menoh was preparing an exhibition and looking for someone with machine and hand- sewing skills. "I got an opportunity to work for her art show. I saw an earlier version of Les Sewing Sisters performance as part of her runway show. It was so inspiring for me." Menoh created Les Sewing Sisters in 2012 and the original concept of the band was "a collective of women who sew," and a "band for art performance and music shows only focused on one subject, which is dress-related matter … dress, dressmaking, fabric, size, etc." Menoh's artwork encompasses a variety of media—music, performing arts, painting, and clothing—"all expressed through a single, consistent theme she calls 'Dirty Collar' and 'A Ring Around the Performing: Lun*na Menoh (left) and Saori Mitome (right).