Meet Katy Siracusa Harwood: Costume Designer in the Film and TV industry for 15 years
Meet one of Toronto’s vibrant costume designer’s Katy Siracusa Harwood!
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in costume design for film and TV?
"I was practically raised in the film and TV industry, so storytelling has always been a part of my life. My first experience on set was when I was two years old, visiting the Due South set. That day, I discovered the craft table—and the magic of everything happening behind the scenes. Summers growing up were spent in production offices, where I would photocopy sides, collate scripts, and eventually find my way into the costume department.
I remember matching up odd earrings, shining shoes, and being completely captivated by racks of vintage gowns. I quickly realized that costumes weren’t just about clothes—they were about storytelling, about giving a character depth before they even spoke. Those early experiences inspired me to dive deeper into costume design, and it became clear that this was where I could combine my creativity, love for detail, and passion for collaboration into a career that brings characters to life."
2. How do costumes contribute to storytelling on screen?
"Costumes are an essential layer of storytelling on screen. They provide visual cues that tell the audience who a character is before they even say a word. A well-designed costume communicates everything from a character’s social status, personality, and emotional state to their history and motivations.
For example, the texture of a fabric can hint at a character’s rugged life, while the color palette can reflect their mood or align them with broader themes in the story. Costumes also help actors fully embody their roles; when they put on a character’s wardrobe, it transforms how they move, feel, and interact with the world on screen.
As a designer, I see costumes as more than just clothing—they’re tools that bring authenticity and nuance to the narrative, ensuring every detail serves the story while visually enhancing the world we’re creating."
3. Can you walk us through your creative process when designing costumes for a project?
"My creative process begins with a deep dive into the script, where I analyze the characters and their arcs to uncover key details that inform their costumes. Research plays a crucial role, whether it’s delving into historical accuracy, exploring cultural influences, or drawing inspiration from real-world parallels. Collaboration with directors, actors, and other departments ensures the costumes align seamlessly with the overall vision of the project. From initial sketches to fittings, every step is focused on balancing storytelling, practicality, and visual impact, resulting in designs that not only look compelling but also enhance the narrative."
What’s been your favorite project to work on and why?
"My favorite project to work on has been “Accused”. As an anthology series, the constant changes in story and characters kept the work dynamic and creatively challenging. What made it truly special, though, was the incredible support and collaboration from the creative team. They trusted me completely and gave me the freedom to bring my voice into the costume designs, allowing me to craft characters in a way that felt both authentic and impactful. It was a project where I genuinely felt included as part of the team, and that level of trust and creative autonomy made the experience unforgettable."
5. How do you collaborate with directors, actors, and other departments on set?
“Collaboration is at the heart of my design process. I start by working closely with the director to understand their vision for the story and the characters, aligning my designs with the tone and themes of the project. With actors, I make it a priority to have open discussions outside the fitting room, listening to their perspectives and insights about their characters. This helps ensure the costumes not only support their performance but also help them fully embody their roles.
I also engage with other departments, such as production design and cinematography, to ensure the costumes harmonize with the sets, lighting, and overall aesthetic. For example, I consider how colors and textures will interact with the set design or how fabrics will behave under certain lighting conditions. It’s a collaborative dance, and every voice helps shape designs that not only look great but also enhance the storytelling in a cohesive way."
Costume designer for Lost Symbol (top) & Good Sam (bottom)
6. What challenges do you often face in costume design, and how do you overcome them?
"Costume design comes with its fair share of challenges, from working within tight budgets to managing last-minute script changes or unexpected additions to the schedule. To navigate these, I always approach my work with flexibility and a problem-solving mindset. Having plans in place and anticipating potential shifts allows me to adapt quickly without compromising the quality or impact of the costumes. It’s about staying resourceful, calm under pressure, and ensuring that every decision continues to serve the story and support the production’s overall vision."
7. What advice would you give to aspiring costume designers looking to break into the film and TV industry?
"My advice to aspiring costume designers is to stay curious, resourceful, and adaptable. Learn as much as you can—not just about costume design, but about the filmmaking process as a whole. Every department impacts your work, and understanding how they intersect will make you a stronger collaborator.
It’s also important to understand that this isn’t an overnight career—it takes years of dedication to build up to bigger opportunities. The hours are long, the sacrifices are real, and even once you’ve made it, the challenges and demands never fully go away. This is a career that requires a lot of you and often takes over a lot of your life.
That said, the rewards are incredible. Being part of the collaborative magic that brings stories to life is worth every challenge. Say yes to projects that push you, stay persistent, and always remember that costume design is about storytelling—not just creating beautiful clothes but bringing characters to life. If you stay true to that, you’ll always have something meaningful to contribute."
8. If you could design costumes for any character, past or present, who would it be and why?
"My dream project would be a story about the birth of a groundbreaking new type of fashion design—something avant-garde, conceptual, and entirely innovative. I’d want it to be the kind of project that becomes part of film lore, constantly referenced as a turning point in both storytelling and visual design.
The idea of creating something where you’re not confined by the visual language already known—where the costumes aren’t just clothing but a transformative, boundary-breaking element of the narrative—is thrilling to me. It would be a story where fashion becomes a character in itself, pushing the boundaries of what we understand about style, identity, and storytelling. To work on something that is absolutely free and untethered from tradition would be the ultimate creative challenge and an absolute dream."
9. Who is your style icon or biggest influence in your career thus far?
"My biggest influence isn’t a person or a specific fashion trend—it’s life itself. It’s the people we encounter every day, the diverse lifestyles we see, and the endless possibilities for creative and personal freedom. The magic of the film industry has shaped me more than anything, offering the chance to work on projects that take you overseas or into some of the most beautiful places on earth.
The idea that anything is possible, that every project is a new world with its own unique challenges and stories to tell—that’s what inspires me most. It’s not about being tied to one place or one way of thinking; it’s about embracing the freedom to constantly create, explore, and evolve. That sense of endless potential is what drives my work and fuels my passion for design."
