HM #005 - Interview Paulo Nieddu

Where did your passion for costume creation come from ?

I think from a young age I was interested in they way people dressed, and how I wanted people to dress and how I dressed. I've always been into pop culture. I watched a ton of movies- mostly old hollywood and poured over fashion magazines when I was in middle and high school. 

Sex & The City (2 movies), Confessions of a Shopaholic, Ugly Betty and Empire now. These movies and TV Shows have fashion in common. Is this an important aspect to create Haute Couture costumes, for you ?

I have been lucky to work on projects where contemporary fashion has played a part in the characters lives and story, from a fashion magazine assistants and editors on Betty to a Carrie - a New Yorker where fashion is an everyday moment, Cameron Diaz as a wealthy Manhattan lawyer , to soap stars in Telenovela and now hip hop & R&B royalty on Empire.
It's definitely something I'm drawn to, but it's not a requirement for me.

You work on Empire, the hit TV series, where you were nominated 3 times since 2015 (2 Emmys and 1 Guild). You must be proud of it, but this distinction may be put you under pression, right ?

I feel so honored to be recognized for my work on the show- but it does add another layer of pressure to the job!

You worked on the pilot of Empire, and it’s Rita McGhee who kept going with the season 1, to give you the place on season 2 and 3. Did her job influence you ?

No, every costume designer is different and has a different approach.
So my vision for where I went with the characters in season 2 was my own interpretation of how I wanted the characters to look.

How does the creation of a costume take place on Empire ? Do you feel free to work with only the informations of the script ? Or are the writers and directors imposing you some things ?

It's sort of a combination of those things. Of course we always start with the script. Then I present my ideas and I work closely with Lee Daniels & Sanna Hamri our executive producer to finalize looks. I always work with my actors too to make sure they comfortable with the choices made. other elements like location and the music always influence or inspire the costumes too.

What are the costumes you have fun to create ? Cookie’s clothes, Lucious’, or one of their sons ?

I love Cookie of course, Hakeem too- he has this way with clothes that I don't often find men to have.

Those last years, many historical TV shows came out. If tomorrow, someone ask you to make costumes from another time, which one would it be ?

I think I'd do 1930's- 

Which TV show would you love to work on ?

Rupauls Drag Race.