Let’s face it, the Costume Department was the one place we always lost ourselves in while at high school or striving to be that (failed) glam actress, so when I found this ultra-fantastical brand come through my inbox bearing the same name I flipped. Conceived in early 2008 and catering to those ladies that have legs for days, you’re pretty much guaranteed to pull some action while rocking a pair of
Costume Dept. leggings. I had to find out more, so I caught up with co-creator, co-fabulouso designer Shawn Kaleka to give me the legs eleven update on the newest brand to sex your pins.
Let’s get straight to it, tell us how Costume Dept. started up?
I was looking for ways to piss off my parents!
What was your background in fashion – and why go the route of making leggings?
I actually have a medical degree, but, instead of saving lives, I am now saving fashion victims! Shaun Samson (co-designer/creator of CD) attended the Fashion Institute Of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles, where he graduated with four associate degrees in Apparel Manufacturing, International Product Development, Fashion Design and Advanced Fashion, respectfully. In 2004, he continued his education at the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, and has worked under genius designer
Jeremy Scott. We started with leggings because we felt that we could fill the gap that existed design-wise. The overwhelming market demand we observed was also an incentive, it proved to be a wise decision.
What goes into constructing each piece and where do you source the amazing materials?
A kiss and a wink. All the material is imported from the Moon (obviously.)
You said you have mad love for Australia after working with The Veronicas…tell us more!
Dressing Jess and Lisa for their Australian tour just made sense, their fashion is so on point - they are like these hot, edgy, talented clones from another planet - perfect Costume Dept. muses! To top it off they are amazingly sweet girls with this really magnetic positive energy that is so great to be around - I can't wait to work with them again!
I’ve noticed a lot of celebs rock Costume Dept. leggings (Fergie, Juliette Lewis, yadda yadda yadda) on the regular – How thrilling and important is that exposure to your brand?
I find name dropping to be a bit tacky and desperate - I will confess that a good amount of high profile individuals own Costume Dept. pieces, some have even been photographed in it. It's cool and everything, and I would be lying if I claimed not to enjoy the glamour of it all, but in reality, I don't think it translates too much. A true fashionista will rock Costume Dept. based on intuition and appreciation for the unique product that we deliver, not because a celebrity was seen in it. It is exactly that type of person who this line caters to; those with intrinsic fashion sense - hip as hell - but not overly influenced by the world.
And lastly where can we purchase Costume Dept. leggings?
You can buy directly from us at:
Costume Dept.
You can also find us in our various accounts listed here:
Costume Dept. Stocklist
