We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ciciley Hoffman. Check out our conversation below.
Ciciley, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
People have no idea how much preproduction work being a costume designer takes. They tend to think I just shop and flit about with designers and put clothes on people. I read scripts several times, chart them out, have discussions with actors, director, HMUA, and production designer about color and fabric choices- all things designed to help ground the character and tell the story at hand. Everything is a calculated choice, and if it looks effortless, that’s the point.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a costume designer for film and television, high profile wardrobe stylist, image consultant. And cat lady.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I have the good fortune of never having had an identity crisis. I have always been the person I am today. I’d like to think I’ve grown and become more patient and less judgmental, but I’ve never been who anyone else told me to be. I had four supportive parents who allowed me to grow organically, and came up in institutions (magnet schools and Oberlin College) that bolstered my creative endeavors and personality.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I have lost a lot of people I love to suicide, and those wounds are life defining ones that will never heal. I talk about those friends every chance I get so that their memories stay close to me. I also volunteer my time to mental health care organizations and talk openly about getting people help to try and reduce the stigma surrounding suicide. I was on the Big Grief Podcast with my friend Alison Cook, and specifically talked about Brittany Belland, our mutual friend who took her own life, as well as others.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
We are not using AI in the best possible ways, and it will be to our detriment. I am a creative in an artistic industry and recognize the threat to my livelihood AI presents. However, the point of AI was to do things like wash our dishes so that we could make art, not for AI to make crappy art and replace artists (of every kind) so that we could wash dishes. People also do not talk about the massive negative impact on our environment using AI has. While I believe in the advancement of technology, just because we can doesn’t mean we should.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
My favorite client is Whisker, and any time I work on a Whisker commercial, I am tap dancing to work. The director, Motke Dapp, has an aesthetic that aligns with mine and I completely understand. We make whimsical, fun, and colorful work together of which I am very proud. And of course, Whisker commercials always have tons of kitties on set. I get paid to pet kitties. What more of a dream could there be?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cicileyhoffman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cicileyhoffman/
- Twitter: https://x.com/cicileyhoffman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cicileyhoffman
Image Credits
We Need to Talk About Balloons, Tskackaphis, American Siege, ParmCrisps, Merry & Gay, Treasure Trackers, Christopher Barkley.
