Curtis Cassell

Curtis Cassell is a costume designer living in Chicago. 
He attended Columbia College of Chicago for graphic design for two years before deciding to transfer to The Art Institute for interior design with a concentration in furniture design.  He discovered that he excelled in creating custom made conceptual pieces.   

A few weeks ago Curtis partnered with Rabbit Hearted Girls to help mentor Ismarie with a project she was working on.

I met with Curtis later that week to photograph a few of his pieces. 
Our sessions were a collaborative experience between Curtis who acted as set & costume designer, the models and the stylist. 
Our inspiration for the shoot: Zelda Fitzgerald.

Curtis is currently designing a custom line of queer bridal wear that is gender nonconforming & still classically elegant. During hair and make-up Curtis talked about the significance of the first man to sew his name into clothing with a label. Charles Frederick Worth, an English fashion designer who founded the House of Worth, one of the foremost fashion houses of the 19th and early 20th centuries was considered by many fashion historians to be the father of haute couture. Throughout time people were designing clothes and making them with style and innovations but Worth is credited as the first to sew a label into the clothes signifying he was the designer. 

Curtis recalled a particular night in his own life where the week had weighed heavy on him and he was feeling defeated. He returned from work to find his Mom had mailed him a letter with a gift inside. 

His first label.
He said the small gesture meant so much to him because his mom believed in the work he was doing. 

Today Curtis has participated in avant garde fashion shows, designed custom pieces for photographers, acted as costume and set designer for plays all in addition to creating custom orders for bridal couture, dresses and menswear. 

To talk to Curtis about designing a custom piece send inquiries to Curtiscassell@ymail.com
 To see what he is currently working on follow him on instagram.