Theaterkunst Talk
Manon Rasmussen
The Danish costume designer Manon Rasmussen originally studied acting. Meanwhile, she discovered her love of costume design and decided to train as a tailor at the Københavns Tilskærerakademi. She then worked as an assistant to costume designer Gitte Kolvig and has since worked as a freelance costume designer.
Since the late 1970s, Manon Rasmussen has been responsible for the costume design for more than 100 film and television productions and has worked with Danish directors such as Bille August, Susanne Bier, Thomas Vinterberg and Lars von Trier. Her work has been honored with several awards. She can look back on a total of 34 award nominations and 18 award wins, such as the Danish “Robert Prisen” several times.
Her works include “Families Like Ours”, “Drunk”, “Margrete: Queen of the North”, “Nymphomaniac”, ”A Royal Affair”, “Melancholia” and “Dogville”.
Her latest film “The Ugly Stepsister” opens in German cinemas on June 5. For this production, she visited Theaterkunst once again and found a variety of historical costumes here.
We are delighted that she took the time for an interview.
Copyright: Manon Rasmussen
Theaterkunst
Manon Rasmussen
“The Ugly Stepsister” is currently showing in German cinemas. How did you approach this production and the costumes? The story is based on Cinderella motifs, which immediately conjures up images in your head.
It is a fairytale, and people are rich, so lots of expensive fabrics like silk, velvet, lace etc. were used. And also the colors should be bright and delicate – light colors – and there is lots of expensive jewelry.
What was unique about the costumes in the movie?
Many of the costumes had been made up to three times of the same to have the possibility to destroy the costume with blood and such things. Also some of the costumes should be a bit too much – and a little bad taste in a childish way.
Your filmography reads like an encyclopedia of Danish film. Is there a project that you particularly like to think back to when it comes to costumes?
There are many I really loved such as “Dogville”, “Breaking the Waves”, “A Royal Affair”, “Margrethe the 1.”, “Melancholia”, “Another Round”. It’s hard to decide, as you can tell.
You have been to Theaterkunst before. What were your first thoughts and what do you particularly appreciate about a costume house?
I always had a very good service and especially at my last visit – the woman who helped me was fantastic. And you have a lot of beautiful costumes 😉
What do you love most about your job?
I love to start by an empty table, and see things growing on the table. All the different ways you go, the solutions you take and ending up with a result, you like. And then the empty table again – you have finished a project, and can start all over again. I also love traveling around picking costumes and creating the characters – the most creative part of my job, and the most sensitive. And I love the work with the director and the actors (most of them).
What advice would you give to newcomers who are just starting their career as a costume designer?
Start being a trainee on some films. Be humble and keep ears and eyes open. Keep on learning and be kind and openminded to all people.
Thank you very much for the interview! Best wishes to Denmark and see you soon in Berlin!
Mange tak og måske ses vi snart i Berlin.
