# Colleen Atwood

Colleen Atwood (born September 25, 1948) is an American costume designer. In a career spanning over four decades, she is recognized for her prolific work across film and television. She has received numerous accolades, including four Academy Awards, three BAFTA Awards, and two Emmy Awards.
Atwood is best known for her collaborations with directors Jonathan Demme, Tim Burton, and Rob Marshall. She has received 12 nominations for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design and has won four times for Chicago (2002), Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016), the latter was the first Wizarding World film to win an Academy Award.

## Early life and education

Born in Ellensburg, Washington, Atwood grew up in the small farming community of Quincy, Washington. At 17, she became pregnant and didn't graduate high school with her class. To support her baby and her husband, who was in college, she took a job at a French fry factory. Then, Atwood received a scholarship to attend Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle in the early 1970s, and later worked in retail at various places, including the Yves St. Laurent boutique at Frederick & Nelson department store in the city.

## Career

Atwood began her career as a fashion advisor in Washington in the early 1970s. She moved to New York in 1980, where she studied art at New York University. Her movie career started after a chance encounter with someone whose mother was designing the sets for the film Ragtime, and she got the job of a PA (production assistant) in the film. She worked as an assistant to a costume designer and eventually earned her first film credit for A Little Sex, directed by Bruce Paltrow.
Eventually Atwood ventured into the world of costume design for theater and film, initially coming to fame through her work on Sting's Bring On the Night World Tour, also made into a documentary by the same name. An important turning point in her career came when, through production designer Bo Welch with whom she had worked in Joe Versus the Volcano, she met director Tim Burton. Atwood and Burton worked together on over seven films in the next two decades, starting with Edward Scissorhands and including Sleepy Hollow, Ed Wood, Big Fish, Planet of the Apes, and Sweeney Todd. She moved to Los Angeles in 1990.
Atwood has been partially involved in developing or has been the lead designer for producing the costumes on over 50 films to date. She was the lead costume designer for all the new costumes created for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 2005–2006. She also designed The Black Parade band uniforms for the band My Chemical Romance, as well as costumes for the following album, Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. She also designs for television, including Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl. Director Tim Burton brought on Atwood as the costume designer for the Netflix series Wednesday to design the looks for Gomez and Morticia Addams. The first thing she did was read the script. She started with Nevermore Academy and worked on the costumes for Wednesday Addams and Enid.
Atwood's favorite fashion designers include Azzedine Alaia, Yohji Yamamoto, and Alexander McQueen.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
| 1984 | Firstborn | Michael Apted | |
| 1985 | Bring On the Night | Michael Apted | |
| 1986 | Manhunter | Michael Mann | |
| 1987 | Critical Condition | Michael Apted | |
| 1987 | The Pick-up Artist | James Toback | |
| 1987 | Someone to Watch Over Me | Ridley Scott | |
| 1988 | For Keeps | John G. Avildsen | |
| 1988 | Married to the Mob | Jonathan Demme | |
| 1988 | Fresh Horses | David Anspaugh | |
| 1988 | Torch Song Trilogy | Paul Bogart | |
| 1989 | Hider in the House | Matthew Patrick | |
| 1990 | The Handmaid's Tale | Volker Schlöndorff | |
| 1990 | Joe Versus the Volcano | John Patrick Shanley | |
| 1990 | Edward Scissorhands | Tim Burton | |
| 1991 | The Silence of the Lambs | Jonathan Demme | |
| 1991 | Rush | Lili Fini Zanuck | |
| 1992 | Lorenzo's Oil | George Miller | |
| 1993 | Born Yesterday | Luis Mandoki | |
| 1993 | Philadelphia | Jonathan Demme | |
| 1994 | Cabin Boy | Adam Resnick | |
| 1994 | Wyatt Earp | Lawrence Kasdan | |
| 1994 | Ed Wood | Tim Burton | |
| 1994 | Little Women | Gillian Armstrong | |
| 1995 | The Grotesque | John-Paul Davidson | |
| 1996 | The Juror | Brian Gibson | |
| 1996 | That Thing You Do! | Tom Hanks | |
| 1996 | Head Above Water | Jim Wilson | |
| 1996 | Mars Attacks! | Tim Burton | |
| 1997 | Buddy | Caroline Thompson | |
| 1997 | Gattaca | Andrew Niccol | |
| 1998 | Fallen | Gregory Hoblit | |
| 1998 | Beloved | Jonathan Demme | |
| 1998 | Mumford | Lawrence Kasdan | |
| 1999 | Sleepy Hollow | Tim Burton | |
| 2001 | Golden Dreams | Agnieszka Holland | |
| 2001 | The Mexican | Gore Verbinski | |
| 2001 | Planet of the Apes | Tim Burton | |
| 2002 | CinéMagique | Jerry Rees | |
| 2002 | Chicago | Rob Marshall | |
| 2003 | Big Fish | Tim Burton | |
| 2004 | Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events | Brad Silberling | |
| 2005 | Memoirs of a Geisha | Rob Marshall | |
| 2006 | Mission: Impossible III | J. J. Abrams | |
| 2007 | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Tim Burton | |
| 2009 | Nine | Rob Marshall | |
| 2009 | Public Enemies | Michael Mann | |
| 2010 | Alice in Wonderland | Tim Burton | |
| 2010 | The Tourist | Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck | |
| 2011 | The Rum Diary | Bruce Robinson | |
| 2011 | In Time | Andrew Niccol | |
| 2012 | Dark Shadows | Tim Burton | |
| 2012 | Snow White and the Huntsman | Rupert Sanders | |
| 2014 | Big Eyes | Tim Burton | |
| 2014 | Into the Woods | Rob Marshall | |
| 2015 | Blackhat | Michael Mann | |
| 2016 | The Huntsman: Winter's War | Cedric Nicolas-Troyan | |
| 2016 | Alice Through the Looking Glass | James Bobin | |
| 2016 | Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children | Tim Burton | |
| 2016 | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | David Yates | |
| 2018 | Tomb Raider | Roar Uthaug | |
| 2018 | Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald | David Yates | |
| 2019 | Dumbo | Tim Burton | |
| 2019 | Lady and the Tramp | Charlie Bean | |
| 2019 | Now Is Everything | Valentina De Amicis Riccardo Spinotti | |
| 2019 | Bombshell | Jay Roach | |
| 2020 | Borat Subsequent Moviefilm | Jason Woliner | Visual consultant |
| 2022 | Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore | David Yates | |
| 2022 | Top Gun: Maverick | Joseph Kosinski | Visual consultant |
| 2023 | The Little Mermaid | Rob Marshall | |
| 2023 | Pain Hustlers | David Yates | |
| 2024 | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice | Tim Burton | |
| 2025 | Kiss of the Spider Woman | Bill Condon | |
| TBA | Rothko | | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Notes |
| 2001 | The Tick | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2012 | Arrow | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2014–2018 | The Flash | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Supergirl | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2016 | The Tick | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2020 | High Fidelity | Episode: "Top Five Heartbreaks" |
| 2022 | Wednesday | 8 episodes |
| 2024 | Masters of the Air | 9 episodes |

## Awards and nominations
### Major associations

Academy Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1994 | Best Costume Design | Little Women | Nominated |
| 1998 | Best Costume Design | Beloved | Nominated |
| 1999 | Best Costume Design | Sleepy Hollow | Nominated |
| 2002 | Best Costume Design | Chicago | Won |
| 2004 | Best Costume Design | Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events | Nominated |
| 2005 | Best Costume Design | Memoirs of a Geisha | Won |
| 2007 | Best Costume Design | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Nominated |
| 2009 | Best Costume Design | Nine | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Costume Design | Alice in Wonderland | Won |
| 2012 | Best Costume Design | Snow White and the Huntsman | Nominated |
| 2014 | Best Costume Design | Into the Woods | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Costume Design | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Won |
BAFTA Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| British Academy Film Awards |||||
| 1991 | Best Costume Design | Edward Scissorhands | Nominated |
| 1994 | Best Costume Design | Little Women | Nominated |
| 1999 | Best Costume Design | Sleepy Hollow | Won |
| 2001 | Best Costume Design | Planet of the Apes | Nominated |
| 2002 | Best Costume Design | Chicago | Nominated |
| 2005 | Best Costume Design | Memoirs of a Geisha | Won |
| 2007 | Best Costume Design | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Nominated |
| 2010 | Best Costume Design | Alice in Wonderland | Won |
| 2012 | Best Costume Design | Snow White and the Huntsman | Nominated |
| 2014 | Best Costume Design | Into the Woods | Nominated |
| 2016 | Best Costume Design | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Nominated |
Emmy Awards
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| Primetime Emmy Awards |||||
| 2007 | Outstanding Costumes for a Variety Program or Special | Tony Bennett: An American Classic | Won |
| 2023 | Outstanding Contemporary Costumes | Wednesday (Episode: "Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe") | Won |

### Miscellaneous awards

List of Colleen Atwood other awards and nominations :
| Award | Year | Category | Title | Result |
| Astra Film and Creative Arts Awards | 2024 | Best Costume Design | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice | Nominated |
| Astra Film and Creative Arts Awards | 2024 | Artisan Icon Award | — | Honored |
| Astra TV and Creative Arts Awards | 2023 | Best Fantasy or Science Fiction Costumes | Wednesday | Won |
| CFDA Fashion Awards | 2013 | Board of Director’s Tribute Award | — | Honored |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 1998 | Excellence in Film | Beloved | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 1999 | Excellence in Period/Fantasy Film | Sleepy Hollow | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2001 | Excellence in Period/Fantasy Film | Planet of the Apes | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2002 | Excellence in Period/Fantasy Film | Chicago | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2004 | Excellence in Period/Fantasy Film | Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2005 | Excellence in Period Film | Memoirs of a Geisha | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2005 | Career Achievement Award | — | Honored |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2007 | Excellence in Period Film | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2009 | Excellence in Period Film | Nine | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2010 | Excellence in Fantasy Film | Alice in Wonderland | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2012 | Excellence in Fantasy Film | Snow White and the Huntsman | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2014 | Excellence in Fantasy Film | Into the Woods | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2016 | Excellence in Fantasy Film | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2016 | Excellence in Fantasy Film | Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2022 | Excellence in Contemporary Television | Wednesday (Episode: "Wednesday's Child Is Full of Woe") | Won |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2023 | Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film | The Little Mermaid | Nominated |
| Costume Designers Guild Awards | 2024 | Excellence in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2009 | Best Costume Design | Nine | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2010 | Best Costume Design | Alice in Wonderland | Won |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2014 | Best Costume Design | Into the Woods | Nominated |
| Critics' Choice Movie Awards | 2016 | Best Costume Design | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Nominated |
| Disney Legends | 2024 | Costume Design | — | Honored |
| Empire Awards | 2016 | Best Costume Design | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Won |
| Hollywood Film Awards | 2005 | Hollywood Costume Design Award | Memoirs of a Geisha | Won |
| Hollywood Film Awards | 2009 | Hollywood Costume Design Award | Nine | Won |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | 1999 | Best Costume Design | Sleepy Hollow | Nominated |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | 2007 | Best Costume Design | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Won |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | 2010 | Best Costume Design | Alice in Wonderland | Won |
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards | 2016 | Best Costume Design | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Nominated |
| Middleburg Film Festival | 2014 | Distinguished Costume Designer | — | Honored |
| Newport Beach Film Festival | 2024 | Career Achievement in Costume Design | — | Honored |
| Online Film Critics Society Awards | 2002 | Best Costume Design | Chicago | Nominated |
| San Diego Film Critics Society Awards | 2024 | Best Costume Design | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 1998 | Best Costume Design | Beloved | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 1999 | Best Costume Design | Sleepy Hollow | Won |
| Satellite Awards | 2001 | Best Costume Design | Planet of the Apes | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2005 | Best Costume Design | Memoirs of a Geisha | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2009 | Best Costume Design | Nine | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2010 | Best Costume Design | Alice in Wonderland | Won |
| Satellite Awards | 2012 | Best Costume Design | Snow White and the Huntsman | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2014 | Best Costume Design | Into the Woods | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2016 | Best Costume Design | Alice Through the Looking Glass | Nominated |
| Satellite Awards | 2018 | Best Costume Design | Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 1991 | Best Costume Design | Edward Scissorhands | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 1991 | Best Costume Design | The Silence of the Lambs | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 1996 | Best Costume Design | Mars Attacks! | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 1997 | Best Costume Design | Gattaca | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 1999 | Best Costume Design | Sleepy Hollow | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 2001 | Best Costume Design | Planet of the Apes | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 2007 | Best Costume Design | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Won |
| Saturn Awards | 2009 | Best Costume Design | Nine | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 2010 | Best Costume Design | Alice in Wonderland | Won |
| Saturn Awards | 2012 | Best Costume Design | Snow White and the Huntsman | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 2014 | Best Costume Design | Into the Woods | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 2016 | Best Costume Design | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Won |
| Saturn Awards | 2016 | Best Costume Design | Alice Through the Looking Glass | Nominated |
| Saturn Awards | 2023/24 | Best Costume Design | Beetlejuice Beetlejuice | Won |
| Savannah Film Festival | 2024 | Variety’s Creative Impact in Costume Design | — | Honored |
| Venice Film Festival | 2012 | Gucci Award for Women in Cinema (costume design) | Snow White and the Huntsman | Nominated |