Amanda Lifvendahl/ Costume Shop Supervisor and Lead Designer at the Interlochen Center for the Arts

Welcome to Sew & So…we’re excited to introduce you to someone whose work brings together so many of the things we talk about here on Sew & So—sewing, creativity, craftsmanship, and the incredible power of clothing to transform the way we see a person.

Amanda Lifvendahl is the Costume Shop Supervisor and Lead Designer at Interlochen Center for the Arts, the internationally renowned arts education community in northern Michigan. And when you hear Amanda talk about costumes, you quickly realize that what she does is about so much more than making beautiful clothes.

Amanda grew up in the Chicago area in a very creative family. Her parents were involved in community theater, so theater was part of her life from an early age. In high school, she started working with wardrobes and learning to sew—and somewhere along the way, she caught what she calls the “costume bug.”

But her path to costume design wasn't exactly a straight line. Amanda was actually studying to become a nurse when an acting class changed everything. She found herself costuming some of the scenes she was acting in, and her instructor suggested she take a closer look at costume design.

That little nudge eventually led her to Illinois State University, a 16-year adventure at Broadway Costumes in Chicago, and then, in 2018, to Interlochen Center for the Arts.

Today, Amanda designs costumes for theater and dance, works with productions ranging from Shakespeare to Broadway-style musicals and ballet, and mentors young artists who are discovering their own creative voices.

Hear about Amanda’s philosophy about what a costume really does. She sees it as the outer layer of a character—something that can tell us who that person is before they ever speak a word.

We’re going to talk about all of that …and we're also going to talk about the chickens! Because when Amanda and her husband moved to Interlochen, they were gifted 20 chickens. Today they have 24 chickens, 12 goldfish and a Cock-a-Poo named Delilah!

(4:03) How did Amanda learn to sew and who were her influencers?

(4:47) She grew up in a very artistic, creative and theatrical family. How did that influence her?

(7:05) In high school she caught the “costume bug”. How did this happen?

(8:57) How did the movie “Pretty in Pink” influence her love of creating cloths?

(10:50) She was studying to be a nurse when a costume class and that instructor changed her life.

(13:37) Amanda attended Illinois State University and studied in their world renown theatre department. She tells us about that time in her life.

(15:59) She said the “loosened up” Painting scenery at ISU. What does this mean?

(18:24) Amanda spent 16 years working at Broadway Costumes Chicago. She shares this adventure with us.

(21:40) Amanda shares a few stories with us about her time in Chicago at Broadway Costumes.

(24:31) In 2018 Amanda got her job at Interlochen…she tells us how this happened…and why she cried!

(26:17) She tells about Interlochen Center For the Arts; it’s history and how they’re preparing to celebrate their 100th anniversary. And how about her costume shop?

(28:13) Learn about the campus at Interlochen…”Hogwarts for the Arts”!

(30:58) How many costumes are in the costume shop?

(32:20) How about memorable students and productions?

(35:57) Learn Amanda’s philosophy about costuming and how the process begins for her.

(39:24) Amanda’s costumes are trult the first impression of a character…she tells us more!

(40:39) Amanda talks about her scoliosis and spinal fusion and how it influences her costume designs.

(42:38) Does she have to modify how she works today because of her physical challenges?

(44:58) What’s next for her and what’s her dream?

(45:55) You can find Amanda on Instagram @lifvenator

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