FASHION
A CHAT WITH SEX EDUCATION'S COSTUME DESIGNER!
By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 21 September 2023
I've been designing since about 2015 and worked my way up the costume ladder. I started as a trainee on Corrie many moons ago and then became a costume standby, then a costume supervisor and eventually, a designer!
Inspirational! And what appealed to you about working on the show?
Sex Ed had a previous costume designer who worked on the first three seasons, so it was very big boots to fill. I love this show cause it’s timeless, placeless, kinda in its own world. There are no rules, and influences from every single decade.
LOVE! So, we wanna know who your fave characters were to style, and why?
The beauty of the show is that all the characters have their own look and swagger to them! Even the simpler costumes are, in a way, more challenging than the more out-there ones. Costumes exist to help the audience understand a character, so they’ve got to complement the words, scenarios and environments they're in. Imagine Viv, who’s so studious, in something really dressy and extra. Or even Eric in something conservative; it’s usually very unlike these characters! Whatever I do, I don't want it to jar the audience.
You're so right! Side note: Viv's the best 🎀 Do you have any advice for people who are currently trying to find their own style?
Don’t go by any rules! If you feel comfortable in something, wear it and have fun! It’s fascinating how fashion trends now are just a mash-up of previous ones. People love the 90s, 00s or the 70s and roll them into one. Sex Ed is like that too – nobody is dressed like it’s a certain time. I’d recommend is vintage or second-hand shopping 🛍️ [Ed note: ASOS Marketplace is PERF!]. If you mix vintage and new styles, it becomes so much more "you".
Pictures: Netflix
Thanks for the advice 💘 Back to the show, how did you use character's wardrobes to show their development?
That was the main challenge of taking on such an established and well-loved show. Between seasons 3 and 4 there’s only been a time-skip of the summer holidays, so nothing too major [has changed]. I spoke with some of the actors about what they did and didn't want to keep from their wardrobe, then how we could evolve it. It was very collaborative. For example, Maeve left for 🇺🇸 last season, and I wanted her clothes to her show her new American influences. She still has a trusty leather jacket, but there might have been a new one that she got from a thrift shop. She’s also wearing a vintage pair of cowboy boots instead of her go-to Dr. Martens 🤠 Subtle changes like these were littered everywhere.
Last Q, does the line ever blur between your personal style and your work? ✨
I enjoy reading scripts through the lens of someone fictional. So, I don't think it's necessarily too hard for me to separate that from reality 📖 The way I dress (I’m quite bad at looking “normal”) helps my job as a costume designer. It makes me unafraid to show off wacky, risky looks on telly 📺 This applies to the actors, too. They're embodying someone else for so long, so I often help to pull their real self from under the character. That bleeds into their style sometimes, but TBH if you like it, what’s the deal? Fashion should be fun and show your influences!
