The time-traveler’s costumer

Life rarely follows a script. That's what Carmichael resident Elizabeth Galindo learned. It was the '80s when, fresh out of college, Galindo headed to Mexico City for a modeling gig, where she ended up hating the clothes she was supposed to wear. Inspired, Galindo started making her own clothes, which led to a chance to design red-carpet gowns for actors such as Cameron Diaz and Salma Hayek—which, in turn, led to the opportunity to work on movie sets. There, Galindo discovered a passion for costuming and history and later attended UC Davis where she earned a Ph.D. in historical craft construction. Now, as a costumer and historical researcher, Galindo's work has helped develop characters in period films such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Time Traveler's Wife, The New World and There Will Be Blood. Galindo, who also has her own clothing line, chatted with SN&R about period-appropriate wool, go-go boots and Daniel Day-Lewis.

Why period films?

I find contemporary films to be rather difficult because everyone has an opinion. With historical films, you really have to do your research. Most of the time the actors don't know the history. … So once I give them the book I made of information [about their character] and talk to them about it, they will understand it. If it's a contemporary piece, however, the actors usually have a stylist they work with who worries about whether or not they look good.

How long does it take to research a film?

It takes a while. For The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, it was 100 years' worth of research, and it took me six months. A lot of people don't realize the amount of effort that goes into making costumes. It's often 18-hour days for months.

Geesh. What makes it take so long?

Finding the right craftspeople who use techniques from that time period. [I'll find and use] the sheep wool that was used during that time and actually have it shorn in that way, spun in that way, find a weaver who will weave it that way of that century, or I'll seek out certain fabric. Everything is done to the exact same way it would have been done at that time period.

How far have you gone to make sure a film is accurate?

For The New World I worked with anthropologists, linguists [and] botanists so that we could recreate accurately what the Native American Patawomeck tribes looked like. There is no documentation of this, so it was hard. We wanted to be as authentic as possible to pay reverence to their culture and history. We collected seashells along the Potomac River to cut the hides for their clothes. They were all hand-sewn with sinew [deer guts]. The gentleman who made all of Pocahontas' clothing for the film was actually a mathematician … who was taught leather-making skills from an ancestor of Pocahontas. It was pretty awesome.

What do you hope people get out of watching a film you’ve worked on?

Maybe through osmosis I can actually teach someone about that time period. … I hope they feel like they have stepped back in time.

Do actors like it when you teach them about the time period?

The A-list actors all do, especially the method actors. When I worked on There Will Be Blood with Daniel Day-Lewis, he was in character 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Time period you’d go back to if you had the chance?

Post-World War II to see the new look of Christian Dior. That's when haute couture in Paris really blossomed. The textiles were amazing. Once the war ended, France started revving up their textiles again. Designers were able to create fabrics that people hadn't been able to see in a long time.

Fashion era that makes you cringe?

I think since I grew up in the '60s, I don't like that era very much. I guess I just think of [the song] “These Boots Are Made for Walking” and Nancy Sinatra and go-go [boots and] miniskirts. Even thought it was quite revolutionary, it wasn't my favorite.

What’s up with your clothing line?

My latest collection [for Galindo Couture] sold out in a day, so I have to get started again. I am slowing down, though. Now I'm strictly doing botanical dying. I use actual leaves and steam them, and it imprints them onto the fabric. Then I make bias-cut dresses and other clothing. I'm part of a group called “slow fashion” [whose members are] thinking about how and where our materials are coming from.

What’s next for style?

Everything from the 1950s is coming back, especially for this fall season. Bias gowns that are tight-fitting and draped over the body will also be popular.