In the summer of 1998, Carmia Marshall had just wrapped up an interview for a position with a record label. She found herself walking the streets of New York City in a navy blue wool suit looking for a place to change into clothes more fitting for the summer heat — and that reflected her vibrant personality.
Marshall, who wanted to break into the film and television industry, had given up and decided her career path would be music but on that day, she found herself changing clothes in filmmaker Hype Williams' production office. It reignited a fire in her to push forward until an opportunity came to do work in film and television.
Carmia Marshall works as a key set costumer where she is responsible for film and television wardrobes. (Courtesy Photo)
Little did Marshall know that day would put her on a path to not only working in film and television but take her passion for fashion and be able to earn a living.
"When I was in high school, I always had a love for fashion and clothing, so I was following my passion without really knowing I was following my passion," said Marshall, who grew up in Mt. Morris Township, Mich. "I didn't think it was a very viable career. I didn't think that this is a way that people can make a living just based on what I had access to or that I was familiar with. I did not really know that I was pursuing my passion. It wasn't like that. It was in my subconscious."
It took nearly two years before she would find herself on the set of the first season of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" working as a production assistant when she decided she wanted to work in costuming for film and television.
"I really enjoyed my experience as a production assistant because when you are in that position, you have to cater to all the specialties in the film industry," said Marshall. "You have to learn how to deal with costume designers and wardrobe providers. You have to learn how to deal with the producer… supervisors...hair, and makeup. I feel like that was a very crucial time of learning so I could figure out who's doing what and also figure out what's my place, where I'm supposed to be. Once I figured out my place was costumes, film fashion, and as many facets of what that world looks like, I just went for it."
Carmia Marshall is pictured left behind actress and singer, Rihanna. Marshall worked as a costumer for Rihanna during the production of the 2018 movie Ocean's Eight. (Courtesy Photo)
Marshall has worked as a key set costumer and star dresser in the television and film industry for nearly 20 years now. Her work includes The Amazing Spiderman, Men in Black 3, Now You See Me, The Adjustment Bureau, The Dark Knight Rises, John Wick: Chapter 2, Sneaky Pete, Gotham, For Colored Girls, Noah, and most recently Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
"Dressing Viola Davis was definitely a treat," Marshall said. "I typically don't like to work with people I really admire because what you see on screen is the performance. It's not the person. Viola was just a dream. She's very professional, super kind, and humble."
Key set costumers supervise wardrobes, work to detect any problems that could happen with a costume, and ensure there is consistency when shooting scenes to prevent bad wardrobe continuity.
"My form of storytelling is via clothing in all stages, whether it's dressing a character on a set or a person in their personal and professional lives," she said.
Statistics on Black representation outside of acting and roles like directors and producers are scarce, but Marshall said there has been some growth in diversity on sets.
"We are now getting better at seeing more Black people in my field," she said. "When I first got started in the industry, there were very, very few. But now, over the last 20 years, it has become more diverse, specifically in the television and film spectrum. Broadway is still struggling. There is still a lack of diversity behind the scenes for Broadway shows.
Support more stories like this one.
For $5 per month, you can support impactful and much-needed storytelling. As a premium subscriber, you also have the opportunity to engage with guests, suggest stories for our next journey, and gain subscriber-only access to behind-the-scenes footage and content as we document our journey.
Thank you for all of your love and support. [To become a premium subscriber, click here.]
