Stefano Nicolao

Nicolao Atelier Sartoria Teatrale

Costume maker

Susanna Pozzoli ©Michelangelo Foundation

A life in costume

Stefano Nicolao has made period costumes for 40 years
He has created the costumes for many famous films
He considers his creations to be his children

When he was at high school, Stefano Nicolao wanted to become an actor. But he later realised that instead of standing on the stage, he actually loved being backstage. He became a tailor, then a costume designer and maker and, in 1980, opened Nicolao Atelier. Since then the company has produced period costumes for famous opera houses, theatres, ballet companies and film studios all over the world. An example of fine Italian craftsmanship, Stefano Nicolao's work is a label of excellence.

Interview

©Piero Viti

Tell us a story about your early days.: I was asked to work on Madonna’s video for Like a Virgin, in Venice, when she was still unknown. She was a very small, ordinary girl, no one noticed her, but her American costume designer told me: 'This girl will become someone'. On the set there was a real lion, brought by the Orfei’s family.
Can you describe a memorable moment in your career?: In 1980, I was asked to work on the miniseries Marco Polo, and I had to go to Tibet and Nepal, in the Himalayas, and create my costumes at 4500m altitude. We had no electricity, so we sewed everything with hand-cranked sewing machines. I stayed there two months.
What do you love most about what you do?: Every day is something different. I love to have my 'creatures' around me, as I call my costumes. I call the tailoring room 'the delivery room', because all the costumes are like children to me.
What challenges do you face today?: Many customers ask me why my masks cost so much. It takes 12 hours to make it out of papier maché and five hours to decorate. But the customer often answers that in other shops they cost two euros, without thinking that they come from China.

Stefano Nicolao is a master artisan: he began his career in 1980 and he started teaching in 1984