As a first-year student at Meredith College, Jordan Jaked Carrier, ’11, barely knew how to operate a sewing machine. Today, she is an ager and dyer for the television and film industry, as well as a freelance costume designer. Jaked Carrier has worked in costuming for various TV shows and films, including Descendants: The Rise of Red, Legacies, Six Triple Eight, The Bondsman, The Exorcist: Believer, The Piano Lesson, and Wolf Pack.

“I alter the garments that the costume designer has chosen for a character,” said Jaked Carrier. “The goal is to give the garment a story and make it appear as if it has existed in the character’s closet for more than a day or two. I create details that tell you about a character’s life like a worn pocket in someone’s favorite pair of jeans or the way a knit shirt pills on the side of a young mother who frequently carries her toddler around on her hip.”

Originally a fashion merchandising major, Jaked Carrier knew she would pursue a career in design but it was at Meredith where she discovered her passion was for theatre design. A study abroad experience exploring various theatres in London sparked her interest and, upon her return, she changed her major to theatre. As a student, she designed costumes for the College’s productions and other small theatres in the area. By the time she graduated, not only could she confidently operate a sewing machine but she could create and sew her own patterns and garments.

For Jaked Carrier, the skills and knowledge she acquired have been instrumental to her success. “LeGrande Smith, ’10, adjunct instructor of theatre, pushed me to grow and learn as a designer. Eunyoung Yang, professor of design, had the highest standards which put me at an advantage when I pursued my master’s in theatre design and production at the University of Georgia. I used the skills I learned in her class every day. Cathy Rodgers, ’76, professor of theatre, encouraged my scholarly interests and her emphasis on academic writing ensured I was ready for graduate school.”

Jaked Carrier encourages young artists who are interested in entering either the theatre or film industries to gain hands-on experiences and form meaningful connections. “It’s so much about who you know. I would recommend contacting artists and designers who you admire. Ask if they need an assistant for an upcoming project and take all kinds of jobs to learn about the entire process.”