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Monday, May 21, 2012

CULTURE

Fashion to "Idol"-ize

Soyon An

What’s it like to win an Emmy? “Quite surreal,” said Los Angeles native Soyon An, who has two Emmys for costume design on "So You Think You Can Dance." What kind of red carpet fashion did she wear? “The first year I won, I made a mini cocktail A-line dress with matching shoes. And for the second year, I made a two-piece dress that lit up to say, 'Thank you!'”

A graduate of Los Angeles’ Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Soyon An came to the attention of "American Idol"’s executive producer, Ken Warwick. After picking her brain on all things fashion, Ken Warwick hired Soyon An on the spot. When we spoke to her recently, the fashion designer was preparing for the return of the 10th season of "American Idol," premiering tonight, and designing costumes for a musical. “Theater is a whole other beast when it comes to fashion and costumes," she said.

A veteran of four seasons of "American Idol," Soyon An has a design budget of $400 for each contestant and is something of an expert at high-low dressing. “Some of my favorite outfits were the ones that Allison Iraheta wore (the jacket with the crosses), Lil Rounds (the catsuit), Adam Lambert (his leather jacket on tour) and Crystal Bowersox (her Janis Joplin paisley pants).”

Costumes Designed by Soyon An

  • Alexis Grace performing on "American Idol"

    Photo Credit: FOX

  • Megan Joy performing on "American Idol"

  • "So You Think You Can Dance"

    Photo Credit: FOX

  • "So You Think You Can Dance"

    Photo Credit: FOX

  • "So You Think You Can Dance"

    Photo Credit: FOX

  • "So You Think You Can Dance"

    Photo Credit: FOX

  • "So You Think You Can Dance"

    Photo Credit: FOX

Soyon An has also designed stage outfits for "American Idol" alum Carrie Underwood and her "Play On" tour. “She trusted me to make her look fabulous.” Soyon An designed 18 outfits in total, and four finale costumes consisting of hand-painted denim, red pleather coats (Underwood doesn’t like to wear leather), mini dresses, thigh-high boots and rompers.

“People don’t realize the long hours that go into creating the looks,” said Soyon An, “and longer hours making the costumes. The thing for me about my job is how addictive it is. Fashion is constantly changing and I can’t get enough of it. Maybe that’s why it’s taken over my life?”

In between costuming assignments, Soyon An makes times for shopping on eBay. She shops vintage furniture, posters and toys. She zips around Los Angeles on a 1978 Vespa, a gift from her boyfriend, found on eBay. “I can’t say that I’ve bought anything unexpected on eBay because I expect eBay to have everything I’m searching for.”

Want more of An’s style? Here’s an eBay wishlist to "Idol"-ize:




 

 

 

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ef6316f5-5203-4358-b99c-a49e6f501c9e Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:27:15 PST Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:27:15 PST
Kristina
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She's definitely talented and I love that she shops on eBay all the time!

3e00f1d4-4bcd-4511-ab50-99bb9e360528 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:38:51 PST Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:38:51 PST
sallysaw
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Wow she is amazing

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