One thing I learned on set: audiences might not notice your clothes, but they will definitely notice if they're wrinkled.
If you ask me, what's the most common phrase I've said over the years in the fashion industry?
Not "This piece of clothing is really beautiful."
It's not about "what color suits this character."
but:
“Steamer, anyone?”
To be honest, this phrase probably appears on set only slightly less often than "Action!"
Many people have a misunderstanding about film costume designers.
They think our job is just shopping, picking clothes, styling looks, and casually chatting with celebrities.
If that's really the case, My back wouldn't be quite so sore all the time.
The reality is, I often find myself crouching on the floor sewing buttons, hunched behind a chair fixing collars, or chasing after actors with a clothing steamer in hand.
Sounds not very glamorous.
But this is the real work.
The crease that caught the camera’s eye.
Once, I shot a scene set in an upscale restaurant.
The male actor is wearing a dark blue suit and sitting by the window.
The on-site lighting is especially beautiful.
The cinematographer spent nearly an hour adjusting the angle.
Everyone is very satisfied.
The director calls "action."
The actor begins to perform.
When I was shooting the third take, I suddenly noticed a problem while standing behind the monitor.
There is a crease on the back of the suit.
Not big.
In reality, almost no one would notice.
But it was particularly obvious on the monitor.
It's like looking at a perfect photo, only to realize there's a piece of spinach stuck on your teeth.
From that moment on.
Your eyes can no longer leave it.
The director didn't notice.
The actor didn't notice.
But I know.
I definitely won't be able to sleep tonight if I don't deal with it.
Stop filming.
Get the clothing steamer.
Done in seconds.
Keep filming.
Later, the movie was released.
The audience, of course, wouldn't know about this little incident.
But a costume designer's joy can sometimes be this simple.
The greatest success is when no one notices the problem.
Why am I using the iron less and less?
When I was a child, my mother really enjoyed ironing clothes.
The ironing board at home has been sitting around like furniture all year.
So when I first started out, I also thought the iron was a universal tool.
Later it turned out.
The set is not home at all.
No one will give you a quiet living room.
No one will give you twenty minutes to iron slowly.
No one will wait for you to set up the ironing board.
The shoot is always running against the clock.
The actor had just finished changing clothes.
The director is looking for someone.
The script supervisor is counting down.
The photography crew is preparing to push the track.
At this point, if wrinkles appear, what you need is speed.
Not about ceremony.
The biggest advantage of a clothing steamer is its simplicity.
Hang it up.
Turn on the machine.
Go through it from top to bottom.
End.
No need to look for a table.
No need to worry about leaving shiny marks on your clothes.
No need to study the temperature settings like defusing a bomb.
For costume designers who frequently work in various temporary venues, this convenience is truly addictive.
What the Silk Dress Taught Me
There was a movie filmed one year with a red carpet theme.
The production team rented a very expensive silk gown.
How expensive is it?
So expensive that people lower their voices when moving it.
The dress arrived at the venue with some wrinkles.
The new assistant asked me if I wanted to use the iron.
I shook my head immediately.
Because silk has its own temperament.
You're too hot for it, and it's getting angry.
Too forceful, and it gets angry.
A slight moment of carelessness could leave you with a permanent memento.
Later, we gradually treated it with steam.
The dress has been restored very well.
That day, I suddenly realized.
Sometimes the best approach is not control.
but to give the fabric a little space.
Sounds like life advice.
But it's really work experience.
Business trips made me fall completely in love with portable garment steamers.
I spend a significant amount of time each year shooting outside my hometown.
If you travel frequently, you should know a harsh truth.
The suitcase doesn't care about your effort.
No matter how carefully you fold your clothes.
When you open them at the hotel, they always manage to wrinkle again in their own way.
Especially the shirt.
They seem to have their own thoughts.
For a while, I tried hanging my clothes in the bathroom, hoping the hot steam would solve the problem.
Many people online recommend this method.
What was the result?
Sometimes effective.
Sometimes it's completely useless.
Similar to a weather forecast.
Later, many colleagues began carrying portable clothing steamers with them.
Photographer available.
The stylist is available.
The brand also has a photography team.
Various models are often seen in the background.
Once while waiting at the airport, I even saw a businessperson next to me take out a Nesugar steamer from his bag to press his suit.
At that moment, I suddenly felt.
It turns out it's not just the film and television industry.
Everyone is going through the same thing.
Don't want to show up looking wrinkled before an important meeting.
Don't want to have any regretful photos on the wedding day.
Want to look more energetic while traveling.
At the end of the day, we just want our clothes to look the way they should.
Many people use garment steamers as humidifiers.
This is the most common problem I've ever seen.
Someone is wildly shooting at the same spot with a machine.
Five minutes later.
The clothes are wet.
The floor is wet.
The mindset is also dampened.
Then conclude:
This thing isn't easy to use.
Actually, it's not.
Steam care is more like helping fibers relax.
Not fighting with wrinkles.
My habits have always been simple.
Hang the clothes up.
Flatten.
Move slowly downward.
Don't rush.
Don't try to eliminate all problems in an instant.
Most of the time.
Patience is more important than power.
Costume designers all have a strange habit.
After working in the profession for a long time.
Some side effects may occur.
For example, I go to a restaurant to eat.
Check whether there are any creases in the waiter's uniform.
Watch a TV drama.
I'll pay attention to whether the actor's cuffs have been neatly folded.
While waiting in line at the airport.
I would study the fabric of strangers' suits.
A friend said this is like an occupational disease.
I admit.
But there's no way.
People who deal with clothes every day really do become increasingly picky.
But it led me to a simple realization.
Many people believe that fashion relies on expensive brands.
Actually, it's not.
The most visible thing is often one's state.
The same shirt.
It looked like he was ready to discuss a collaboration when he was being smooth.
It looks like it just escaped from the trunk when it's crumpled.
The difference is this realistic.
One final, somewhat unprofessional observation
Over the years, I've seen too many people spend a lot of money on clothes.
Yet few people take the time to care for their clothes.
In fact, most clothing doesn't require complicated care.
Keep clean.
Properly store.
Occasionally use a clothing steamer to freshen up.
It already looks much better.
At least in front of the camera.
And the same goes for life.
Because often, what others remember isn't what you wore.
But whether you look sharp and confident, like someone already ready to face the day.
Interestingly.
Sometimes, it only takes a few minutes of steaming to achieve this.
