KRISTI WOOD

 

 

Kristi spent her childhood outside of St. Louis, Missouri, a place where she did not quite fit in outside of art classes. She excelled in painting, dyeing, and ceramics. Her interest in sewing began at an early age watching her grandmother create beautifully handcrafted quilts. Soon after entering high school, she was creating costumes for the theater department. All these pursuits led to a move to New York City where she began her costume education and career.

 

Hard work, exceptional training, and many notable mentorships paid off over her sixteen years pounding the pavement in NYC. The majority of her career was spent in the costume trenches of the Metropolitan Opera, numerous Broadway theaters, a few television/film productions, and various dance companies. One of her fondest memories is with Ballet Trockadero—making and repairing their costumes (sometimes aggressively stuffing feathers into tutus). She loved those ballerinas! While in NYC, Kristi was a proud member of I.A.T.S.E. Local 764. She has worked with many brilliant designers throughout the years and cherishes those relationships.

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With an opportunity on the table and a change of scenery in mind, Kristi moved to Chicago to work with the Lyric Opera of Chicago as the: Costume Production Supervisor for New Operas. In her new home, she did what she does best: helping designers source their materials, finding the right costume makers, staying on budget, and, most importantly, bringing their visions to life. This was a pivotal move for Kristi. She now found herself closer to her family, living in a city she grew to love, and doing costume work that was both rewarding and plentiful. 

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As Kristi explored the growing Chicago market, she was able to return to film as a Textile Artist, Ager and Dyer. In a full cycle from her young interests to professional application, she returned to her previous loves—painting, dyeing, and crafting. After transferring to Chicago IATSE Local 769, her Chicago film credits include: Widows [Directed by Steve McQueen, Costume Design by Jenny Eagan], The Killer [Directed by David Fincher, Costume Design by Cate Adams], LoveCraft Country [Costume Design by Dayna Pink; Lead Textile Artist, Melissa Binder-Terry], Fargo Season 4 [Costume Design by JR Hawbaker], Justified [Costume Design by Dona Gibson], Utopia [Costume Design by Amy Parris], and Paper Girls [Costume Design by Marci Rodgers]. 

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With her experience and insight into the costuming business, Kristi observed that the Chicago market (and the broader Midwest) had nowhere to turn when it came to bespoke costume production. She quickly realized a fully equipped, properly staffed costume shop located in the heart of the 'City of Big Shoulders', could make this possible. The talent and expertise have always been in Chicago… just waiting for you. It simply needed to be organized! And with no further adieu, she presents to you: The Costume Shop LLC.