Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1531371
14 SPRING 2025 and Michele Clapton. Also, I would love for everyone to know that when I put together a video, I'm learning just as much as my audience is about the art of costume or a designer's approach to building a character. I am a student of costume design and have an insatiable desire to discover more about the work of the greats, like Colleen Atwood, Milena Canonero, and Sandy Powell. I'm even working my way through watching every Oscar winner for Best Costume Design and can't wait to do a video about it." Thompson has a background in fashion merchandising with a degree from Kent State University where she also took textile and history courses. "When I was a kid, I would cut out my favorite looks from magazines to make mood boards and watch old movies like What a Way to Go! and Sabrina just for the gowns. The turning point for my long-term career goal was at fashion school in college when I did a styling internship at Nickelodeon where I assisted in coordinating on-brand looks for talent for press, promos, and photo shoots. This is what solidified my desire to move to LA to start a career in costumes in the entertainment industry." Thompson got her days working at Western Costume as a women's stock clerk and worked as a Costume PA on This Is Us. "Those two seasons were like a boot camp for learning how a costume department functions and how to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment." Thompson's aspirations for costumes have only made her hungrier to learn, experience, and create more. "I am constantly looking to elevate my costume knowledge through sewing classes, classes and events with Local 705 and Local 892, and college courses on textiles and costume history. I also am working to gain experience in varied roles across the costume department to broaden my skills and become the most well-rounded and successful Costumer I can be. I would like to gain more experience as a shopper for period and contemporary projects and even work on location internationally for a job, especially if it gives me an opportunity to use my French- language skills. My long-term career goal is to become a Costume Designer. I want to push the boundaries of what is possible for creating characters and storytelling through visually stunning costumes. I plan for my experience to span period films to commercials to music videos, all while leading with creativity, positivity, and respect." To see more of Ashlynn Thompson's costume breakdown videos and dedication to her beloved cra, you can follow her on Instagram @ashlynnthompson Local 705 initiation at General Membership Meeting in 2022.