Caroline Koener

Caro Costume

Costume maker

©Flavie Hengen

©Michel Feinen

Crafting characters through clothes

Caroline specialises in creating period costumes
Her costumes have appeared in major feature films
Hugely diverse, her work involves many different skills

“I was 15 when I knew that I wanted to be a costume designer. I loved history and sociology, sewing and building things as well as film history and making, so it was clear to me that this was what I wanted to do for a living.” Caroline Koener studied costume for screen and stage in Bournemouth, England, gaining essential work experience from makers and designers in the industry during her studies. Straight after university she started working as a costume maker and dresser, mainly for theatre, film and dance, and then as a costume designer. Her first professional assignment was making patterns for 40 costumes for a dance performance directed and choreographed by Helen van den Kerchove.

Interview

How are you connected to the film industry in Luxembourg?: The film industry is growing in Luxembourg and is therefore becoming a bigger part of its cultural background. Being one of the few Luxembourgish costume designers, I enjoy working on entirely Luxembourg-made productions.
What’s so special about making costumes?: The creation of film or theatre costumes is the opposite of the modern fashion industry, where clothes are considered perishable consumables. In this craft, the design and making process has to fit one specific person and reflect something unique and not mass made.
What do you love most about your profession?: Everything! From the constant change of subject, concept, to getting to know new people, bringing words on paper to life, developing characters, creating identity through assembling materials. And, of course, working with textiles.
What moments in your career have been particularly memorable?: Quite a few. I will never forget the first time I saw my costumes on stage, or when an actor or director actually hugged me because the costumes I made provided the final touch to bringing their character´s vision to life.

Caroline Koener is a master artisan: she began her career in 2009 and she started teaching in 2018