Since Austin has traveled to/from a few different eras (60's, 70's, 90's) what has been your favorite era is to design costumes for?

I don't know that I have a favorite era. I really just enjoy exploring something new. Actually for Austin Powers in Goldmember, I really loved the researching Japan. Traditional costume, the youth culture and sumo - all of it was so inspirational. As you can see it even slips into Foxxy costumes.

I also had a lot of fun with Austin's shagadellic party of today. My goal was to use the same kind of explosive, hysterical color of the 60's party in #2 and Caranaby Street of #1 but with modern clothes. The Japanese research played a big part in influencing those choices. There is an area in Japan where the kids dress to costume proportions - alive with imagination all centered around a theme. It helped me define our party crowd as fans of Austin with a unique, colorful, witty, and sexy style. That style reaching it's peak with the "fook" twins - my personal favorite.
What influences your work the most?

The script and the characters are hopefully the biggest influence for my work. I'm lucky with Austin Powers, the characters are so alive on the page that they get my imagination running. I try not to use current fashion for inspiration since it changes so quickly. I get completely lost in the research - even when it's modern day. Once you've filled your mind with the world you're designing for the imagination takes over.

 
What are your artistic goals for the future? Is there any project that you wish to do or particular person you wish to work with?

I really love learning on the job. The best part of this business is that it's always new. I try to find the project that scares me enough to push me into new territory.
Have you always been a costume designer? How did you get into the business? Can you share a little bit of your professional history with us?

I was a buyer for a couple of different clothing chains when I had the opportunity to work on some TV commercials as an assistant stylist. I was instantly bitten by the bug and have been working in costumes every since. I've been designing films for the past 13 years.
Is there anything humorous that happened while working on Austin Powers in Goldmember that you can tell us about?

A great day, was the night Mike first tried on the affectionately know "pimp Austin" costume that he wears in Goldmebmer's club 69. It was the end of a long shooting day but Mike put on the whole get up from hat & coat to rhinestone trimmed glasses & diamond male symbol pendant to the multi colored 7" platform boots and couldn't stop dancing around his trailer. Mike loved being well over 6' tall. His assistant cranked up the music and Mike Disco'd down like he was on soul train.