From ‘A Different World’ to ‘The Wonder Years’: How Costume Designer Ceci Has Made Her Mark

It’s 10:30 a.m. when costume designer Ceci (sure, simply Ceci—extra on that later) indicators on to Zoom, however she’s been awake since 2:30. By alternative. Getting up in the midst of the night time is solely par for the course whenever you’re creating seems for among the most iconic reveals on tv, A Totally different World, Residing Single, and Sister, Sister, amongst them.

After overseeing the costume designs for Pricey White Folks, A Black Girl Sketch Present, and Combined-ish, Ceci (pronounced Sess-ee) is bringing her imaginative and prescient to life in ABC and twentieth Tv’s The Marvel Years, a brand new present impressed by the award-winning sequence that ran from 1988 to 1993. On this model, viewers are launched to the Williams household via the lens of 12-year-old Dean as he grows up in Montgomery, Alabama, within the late Nineteen Sixties. 

The sequence shoots in Atlanta, which is three hours forward of Ceci’s dwelling base in Los Angeles. So when the actors present up for his or her 5:30 or 6 a.m. name occasions, Ceci begins her day too, on name for digital fittings, consultations, and final seems. For some, such a schedule could be out of the query. However the 62-year-old has extra vitality than most youngsters, which serves her properly off set too as she cares for her three younger grandchildren, who dwell together with her. 

Ceci is a local Californian, born and raised in Los Angeles. Her dad and mom had been from Panama and are the explanation that early wake-up name is one thing she doesn’t flinch about. “My dad and mom got here right here with nothing of their pocket and lots of will to outlive,” she tells Glamour. “That they had lots of crafts and expertise that they [were taught in] faculty, due to House Economics and Store. My dad and mom had all of that in spades.”

And so does Ceci. Whether or not it was making her personal garments as a child or having the boldness to inform directors on the Vogue Institute for Design & Merchandising that she wasn’t going to observe the set curriculum, Ceci is aware of who she is and what she brings to the desk (or on this case, the closet). However as assured as she is, it doesn’t imply she’s been freed from worry or self-doubt both. 

Nevertheless, at 62, it’s turn out to be extra pleasure than nervousness. And positive, although a nap sounds good, it’s not excessive on her priorities listing. “I’d simply dream in regards to the subsequent episode [of The Wonder Years] anyway,” she says with fun. 

So how did she do it—and do it so magnificently? Right here, Ceci explains what it took, what she is aware of now, and the episode of A Totally different World that also reminds her simply how good she is.