Pre-Loved Podcast

Pre-Loved Podcast: Denise Wingate

May 15, 2023 /

S7 Ep16 DAISY JONES & THE SIX: costume designer, Denise Wingate – on using vintage to bring to life the rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band, her dream project!

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Pre-Loved Podcast is a weekly vintage fashion interview show, with guests you’ll want to go thrifting with! For more Pre-Loved Podcast, subscribe to our Patreon!

Today’s episode is with Denise Wingate, the costume designer behind Daisy Jones & the Six! If you haven’t seen it yet – run don’t walk, the costuming is fabulous – Daisy Jones & the Six is about the rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band, based on the novel, written in rock documentary style, by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

A Los Angeles native, Denise began her career designing costumes and touring with none other than The Bangles, before segueing into television costuming. Throughout her career, she’s always prioritized working with vintage – and because of her true love for vintage fashion and music history, it’s really clear that this project was an ultimate dream role for her. 

We talk about all this, and the incredible vintage looks in Daisy Jones & the Six, on today’s show –   let’s just dive right in!

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [3:09] Denise moved to Hollywood at 16 and grew up attending new wave shows.
  • [4:28] Denise goes on a world tour with the Bangles, working as their stylist. 
  • [8:51] Costume design is about developing a character through clothing, and Denise’s process for Daisy Jones & the Six. 
  • [13:57] The inspiration for young Daisy Jones was a young Joni Mitchell, young Linda Ronstadt – and then she morphed into Janis Joplin and Stevie Nicks when she becomes a rock star.
  • [14:40] The inspiration for Camila Dunne was a young Ali MacGraw, and then she grows into Bianca Jagger in her rockstar wife era. 
  • [14:50] Suki Waterhouse’s character, cool-girl keyboardist Karen, was inspired by Patti Smith, Joan Jett, and Suzie Quatro.
  • [15:52] Staying true to fashion moments mentioned in the book, like Daisy’s first recording session outfit, or the beaded kaftan she wears in the pool.
  • [18:45] Denise estimates she had to pull about 1,500 looks for this show!
  • [20:15] Her sourcing process for finding special vintage pieces for the show.
  • [23:40] Daisy Jones’ coat collection – that choice for the character, and Denise’s favorites, including this one that she sourced in Paris.
  • [26:11] Camilla’s transformation into Bianca Jagger would not be complete without this leopard print dress from Pickwick Vintage Market.
  • [28:32] Denise found a patchwork leather jacket from Gandalf the Wizard in Long Beach, which she used for Graham Dunne.
  • [30:27] Denise found a North Beach leather whipstitch white suit that Karen wore for the Aurora cover shoot.
  • [31:44] A lot of the jewelry on the show originally belonged to Denise’s grandparents, including Daisy’s squash blossom necklaces.
  • [32:45] In the 70s, rockstars would have been wearing vintage from the 30s, 40s, and older, so Denise used those kinds of pieces in the show, too. 
  • [35:27] Daisy Jones’ on-stage persona, and how they used costuming to bring that out. 
  • [36:50] The final on-stage look for Daisy Jones was a gold vintage Halston dress that they turned into a cape, and a 1930s crochet metallic dress underneath.
  • [44:55] The beauty and creativity in re-use. 
  • [49:17] Shopping estate sales with her son, also a vintage shopper, in New Orleans.

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

LET’S CONNECT: 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

  • Patty Weber
  • Beverley Docherty of Wolfe Pack Vintage
  • Danny of Galaxy Live
  • Kathy Brand
  • Lucero Buendia
  • Tricia Zelazny
  • Leslie V.
  • Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
  • Lucille of Galipette Vintage

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