Jennifer May Nickel – Storytelling Through Costumes, this Sewist Shares the Behind the Scenes Explanations of TV Costume Creation

Sew & So...

Settle in with us for a back-stage tour of exactly how costumes are designed for tv shows. Learn how a certain look is achieved and how moving to LA during the writer’s strike was a “terrifying” time for our guest who moved there for the first time to find work!

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Jennifer May Nickel completed her undergrad studies at East Stroudsburg University, did summer studies at St. Edmund’s College/Oxford University and earned her MFA in costume design at Carnegie Mellon.

She’s worked on numerous films and commercials for many large, well-known companies. She won the Elizabeth Schrader Kimberly Costume Design Award, The Cecilia Cohen Award for Excellence in Theatre and the WCDAC Achievement award.

She loves to travel the world collecting fabric and vintage clothing along the way. Jennifer currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband Jean-Paul Nickel

(1:58) Jennifer learned to sew in a “multitude of ways” She begins this episode by telling us these stories.

(6:03) Calling herself “A theatre kid who thought she’d go into acting” until a professor saw her work and steered her toward design, Jennifer tells us about this amazing change of course in her life.

(9:36) Precocious as a child…well yes, she admittedly was. She tells us more!

(12:30) Jennifer moved to LA during the writer’s strike…when there was “absolutely no work to be had”. This “terrifying experience” Steeled her resolve and prepared her for the coming events of Covid. She shares this experience with us.

(16:17) So how does one become a costume designer for tv shows? Well, it’s not exactly an easy experience…she walks us through her journey.

(23:04) Jennifer loves to “flex her down and dirty apocalyptic design skills” What exactly does this mean, and how does it relate to the show “The Walking Dead”?! Also learn Hollywood’s secrets to making costumes look distressed and worn! And how does a Kind Bar make mud on shoes?

(29:00) Jennifer takes us through the whole process of designing costumes for a tv show! How long does it take from idea to the actual completion of costumes?

(41:50)So, what does Jennifer think is the best thing about what she does, and why does she love working in television so much?

(42:48) And of course we asked, what’s the hardest thing about what she does? Maybe working 15-hour days?!And by the way, how about the amazing experience of being at O’Hare Airport to film at 3am?!

(48:45) What’s she working on currently? A variety of projects…hear about them here! And see them on billboards around the country! Oh, and Wrestle Mania too!

(50:17) What’s next for Jennifer?! There’s some cosplay involved, and a special award sponsored by BERNINA too!

(53:58) What’s her dream? Well, it involves working with her husband.

(55:06) IS there a question didn’t ask that she wished I Had asked? Why, yes there is! How about traveling and fabric shopping? And a dress made entirely of Nickels. Go figure!

(59:04) How can you reach Jennifer? Instagram @jennifermaydesigns, and Twitter @jmndesigns

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to [e-mail] or complete the form on our website.

Be sure to subscribe to, review and rate this podcast on your favorite platform…and visit our website sewandsopodcast.com for more information about today’s and all of our Guests.