Meet Imani Akbar | Costume Designer & Vintage Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Imani Akbar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Imani, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking is an essential element to success. One must take risks. Risks have played a major role in my life and career. If I believe in an idea, truly believe in it to my core, it ignites my determination (another element necessary for success) to make the idea(s) come to fruition. When I first got into this business, I was told it would take me 6 years to get into the union. I decided in my mind that it wouldn’t. With the help and support of my fellow union members, I was able to join in less than 6 months. This is just one of the many times I took the risk to believe in myself to get me to my destination. Although risks can be scary, somehow, they always seem to be worth it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I like to think of myself as a collaborator. I always welcome new and fresh ideas from my colleagues and peers. And I often find inspiration from them, as well as in the natural world around me. Nothing is easy that is worth having. So no, it was not easy, and still is not easy. I still have to reinvent myself, stay informed with news, technology, television, films, design, and any other new things that come into play. Costume Design is based in problem solving and initiative. Sometimes the answer is right in front of you. And other times, it’s an uphill battle. Once, I was working on a period piece in which we had to create a renaissance fair with 250 people and turn it around in less than 3 weeks. Not an easy feat. However, through proper time management, constant communication, haste, long hours, determination, and an excellent crew, we were able to pull it off!

Some lessons: don’t sweat the small stuff, there is always another way to figure something out; mistakes are gonna happen, fix them and move on; try not to stress, it’s just clothes.

I always want to keep learning, growing, and expanding my mind as much as possible.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I would start in Pasadena, go to the Huntington Library, check out the Japanese Garden, have tea in the Tea Room, and go get a cupcake from Dots Cupcakes.

Then, we’d go to the Eastside–Highland Park, check out York Street and get a vegan donut from Donut Friend.

Next, Downtown L.A. to check out The Broad Museum and go to the Fashion District, then have dinner on a rooftop.

In Crenshaw/Leimert Park, we’d to go to the Museum of African American Art and go grab coffee and a bite from Hilltop Coffee.

Finally, on the Westside, we’d go to the beach, check out Malibu, and hang there for a day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my story to all of the women, especially the black women, that supported me through this process of helping to achieve my dreams of becoming a Costume Designer. I would also like to thank every crew member that worked to support my vision. From the PAs to the coordinators, set costumers, trailer costumers, background costumers, key costumers, costume buyers, supervisors, and last but not least, the ride or die, Assistant Costume Designers. And lastly my mother, who told me after college, “there was nothing for you back home”, and encouraged me to stay in L.A. to pursue my creative ambitions. I am forever grateful to all of you.

Website: Imaniakbar.com

Instagram: @granolaluxury

Other: SymmetryVintage.com — my online vintage clothing website

Image Credits
I have the rights to this image