Reinventing the Iconic: The Missteps and Breakthroughs with Leslie Kavanagh - The Testaments

Inside Gilead like never before—youth, color, power, and hidden control. A costume designer reveals how The Testaments reshapes a dystopian world. In this richly detailed conversation, host Catherine Baumgardner sits down with acclaimed costume designer Leslie Kavanagh to explore the visual storytelling behind The Testaments—the highly anticipated sequel to The Handmaid's Tale based on The Testaments book series. Kavanagh reveals how the series shifts perspective—moving from oppression seen from the outside to a hauntingly "normal" life inside Gilead, especially through the eyes of its youth. This new lens transforms the narrative into something both beautiful and unsettling, where privilege, innocence, and control coexist. The discussion dives deep into costume design as storytelling: color psychology (plums, greens, pinks), symbolic hierarchy, and the delicate balance of individuality within strict uniformity. Kavanagh shares how dyeing fabrics, testing under lighting, and collaborating with cinematographers shape every frame—turning clothing into emotional language. Beyond aesthetics, the conversation explores creative process, failure as fuel, and the power of collaboration. Kavanagh emphasizes that great storytelling doesn't dictate meaning—it sparks conversation. Whether political, artistic, or emotional, the goal is resonance. This episode is a masterclass in film design, world-building, and the invisible artistry that transforms scripts into unforgettable visual experiences. The "Voice of Costume" is the first podcast created between working costume designers sharing stories, inspiration, struggles, and insights into the creative career of costume design. A behind-the-scenes podcast to showcase the voices of Costume Designers around the world. Listen in on this inspirational, one-on-one conversation with Catherine Baumgardner. Audio available wherever you get podcasts. https://voiceofcostume.com/