I am a costume and eveningwear designer and seamstress based in the Bay Area and New York.

Though I have long been involved in costuming for theatre and opera, I have recently moved towards creating one-of-a-kind fashions for individuals. I encourage a highly collaborative creation process to create custom clothing that elevates a special occasion.

I am most drawn to simple, yet structured designs that pair classic silhouettes with unusual asymmetries, fabric choices, and surprising details.

I take my inspiration from the haute couture designs of Issey Miyake, John Galliano, Helmut Lang, Prada, Yohji Yamamoto, Balenciaga; the silhouettes of period costumes from the Twenties and Thirties, the Empire Period, and corsets from all ages; and indie films like “The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover.” I am drawn to the modern art of Gustav Klimt and Chuck Close – the textures, the color palettes.

I am inspired by street fashion – especially Japanese FRUiTS, urban hipsters, and art store kids.

I am into reclaiming, recycling, and reconstruction. Creating wearable art out of objects in disuse gives rise to a new history.

email: jessica AT jessicahinel DOT com

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BS in Costume Design from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), 2005

Journeyman & Webmaster – IATSE Theatrical Wardrobe Union, Local 784