Meet Ivy Heather Thaide | Costume Designer and Vice President of Local 892

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ivy Heather Thaide and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ivy Heather, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When I began my career as a costume designer in the early 2000s, I took on any project that came my way—whether it was low-budget horror films, music videos, or student short films. I worked long hours, missing events and sacrificing personal time, all to gain experience and build my foundation in the industry. Later in my career, I got married and I had my two daughters, which, looking back, was a turning point for me. It allowed me to continue honing my skills and cultivating valuable industry contacts. Today, I’m fortunate to be in a position where I can be selective about the projects I take on. It’s a real luxury to be able to balance both my family life and my work. It’s not lost on me. Additionally, I’ve continued my role as Vice President of 892, my local union in Los Angeles, advocating for pay equity and the value of our members’ artistry within the entertainment industry. My schedule isn’t for everyone, but I believe everyone defines ‘having it all’ in their own way. For me, it’s about doing a little bit of everything the best that I can.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I decided to transition into assisting after several years of designing indie lower budget projects early in my career. I felt that assisting on larger productions would give me the valuable experience needed to work on larger scaled shows. It was a decision that opened doors, allowing me to work on films like Pitch Perfect 2 and TV series such as How to Get Away with Murder, where I gained insight into the inner workings of major networks and studios. I would say to students who are graduating college or newer designers that our careers are not a sprint, but a marathon. We can’t age out, but rather the longer we are in the industry, the more valuable we become, as our experience and wisdom become assets.

I’ve had the privilege of working as an assistant costume designer on some inspiring and diverse projects. My journey has included collaborating with costume designers like Joseph Porro on The Orville (Season 3), where we ventured into a futuristic world in space, Daniel Orlandi on Netflix’s Atlas, staring leading actress Jennifer Lopez; and, just last year, I costume designed an indie feature called If I Tell You in Ely, Minnesota—a challenging and beautiful coming-of-age story that tested my skills in contemporary design. Currently, I’m working as the assistant costume designer on the new DC/HBO Max series Lanterns, collaborating with the costume designer Cynthia Summers.

The film industry can pose many challenges, requiring you to be adaptable and prepared for anything that comes your way. As an assistant costume designer, problem-solving is a daily task, ancipating issues and being highly organized with the production schedule. I’m often the go-between for various parts of our department and production, ensuring costumes make it to the truck, through breakdown (aging and dyeing), or staying on top of the made-to-order schedule. The role demands strong time management, and the ability to pivot quickly. Also to have a deep understanding of the intricate processes behind what is being design and when its due. I have to say that the biggest skills to have is to be communicative, be patient and incredibly organized.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Los Angeles is one of those cities that offers something for everyone—whether it’s a cozy seaside seafood spot, a sushi bar tucked in the Hollywood Hills, or an authentic French bistro in the San Fernando Valley. In just a few hours, you can be in the snow, pick up a bottle of wine along the 101, star gazing in Griffith Park, or go for a hike in the Los Angeles Crest. Some of my favorite spots to visit are the LA Zoo with my daughters, or Bob’s Big Boy in Toluca Lake—a fun throwback to 50s nostalgia.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my husband, Nick Gross, who has been my greatest champion and support system as I navigate this incredible career. He, along with our two girls, is the driving force behind my hard work, motivating me to be the kind of role model I aspire to be for them. I’m also incredibly fortunate to have Anna Wyckoff as an amazing collobrative partner at the Costume Designers Guild. She has been the perfect teammate for our education programming, and a creative director on the content that I create for our YouTube channel and our events. And a special thank you to Salvador Perez, who suggested that I join the executive board 11 years ago and offered me the invaluable opportunity to work as his assistant costume designer, which opened doors for me to take on large-scale projects.

Website: https://IvyThaide.com

Instagram: IvyThaide

Yelp: Ivy T

Image Credits
Daniel Orlandi and Ivy Thaide at the 2024 San Diego Comic Con photo by Ryan Hartford
Salvador Perez and Ivy Thaide
Ivy Thaide CDGA 2023 photo by People Magazine
Anna Wyckoff and Ivy Thaide at the CDGA 2024
Ivy Thaide breaking down a hat on the set
Ivy Thaide pulling costumes in a costume cage
Ivy Thaide on set in Ely, MN