Sam Salman is an accomplished costume designer and creative professional with deep roots in both the fashion and entertainment industries. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Costume Design from the prestigious California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), Sam has built a career defined by artistic excellence, technical precision, and collaborative creativity.
The Journey
Early Beginnings
My path to costume design began with fashion design and business classes at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC). I worked in both the garment industry and entertainment, gaining invaluable experience in pattern-making, tailoring, and production. During this time, I launched my own clothing line, Horse of Arabia, focused on menswear design with global influences.
Education & Growth
Seeking to expand my creative horizons and deepen my craft, I pursued higher education at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). There, I studied fine art and theatrical production with an emphasis on costume design, graduating in December 2019. CalArts provided me with advanced training in:
- Costume design theory and practice
- Pattern-making and draping
- Historical costume research
- Character analysis and visual storytelling
- Collaboration with directors and production designers
Northern Costume
After graduation, I co-founded Northern Costume in Valencia, California, strategically located near major studios. Northern Costume is a made-to-order costume shop offering comprehensive services from concept to final fitting. What sets us apart is our commitment to quality at competitive prices, making professional costume services accessible to a broader range of productions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we pivoted to making masks for the community, demonstrating our adaptability and commitment to service. Today, Northern Costume continues to serve the film, television, and commercial industries with distinction.
Professional Experience
Selected Film & Television Credits
Major Productions:
- Outer Range (Amazon Prime Video) – Costume fabrication
- The Fabelmans (Amblin Entertainment / Steven Spielberg) – Costume work
- Star Trek: Picard (Paramount) – Costume fabrication
- Euphoria Season 2 (HBO) – Costume design including Frida Kahlo and Titanic clothing sequences
- The Mayans (FX) – Costume work
- The Neighborhood (CBS) – Costume design
- Dollface (Hulu) – Costume services
- Miracle Workers (TBS) – Costume fabrication
- Black Lady Sketch (HBO) – Costume work
Special Events & Commercials:
- Super Bowl 2022 Halftime Show – Costume creation for Mary J. Blige’s backup dancers
- Super Bowl 2022 Halftime Show – Costume work for Kendrick Lamar’s dancers
- The Goo-Goo Dolls – All costumes except band’s leather jackets and Santa costume
- Met Gala (Anna Wintour / Condé Nast) – Costume work
- IBM Watson (PYTKA) – Commercial costume design
- Kia Hamsters (David & Goliath) – Commercial costume work
- Pitney Bowes (PYTKA) – Commercial costuming
Art Direction
- Cry Wolfe (Karga 7 Productions) – Art Director, 11 episodes
Collectibles & Special Projects
- Pop Culture Shock Collectibles – Costume Designer & Fabricator
- Shao Kahn on Throne (Mortal Kombat) – Museum-quality statue costume
- Chun Li Classic Qipao (Street Fighter 1/3 Scale) – Detailed fabric tailoring and embroidery
- Global Effects, Inc. – Foreman/Manager
- Marco Marco Studios – Sewing Technician
Recognition & Achievements
Industry Honors
- Marquis Who’s Who Biographical Registry (2022) – Inducted into this prestigious registry recognizing accomplished individuals across all fields
- Voyage LA Magazine Feature (2020) – Profiled as one of LA’s most inspiring stories
- CalArts Alumni Recognition – Featured in The Pool magazine for professional achievements
Skills & Specializations
- Costume Design & Concept Development
- Color Theory & Character Analysis
- Pattern-Making & Draping
- Women’s Made-to-Order & Men’s Bespoke Tailoring
- Period Costume Research & Execution
- Millinery & Accessory Design
- Shoe & Boot Manufacturing
- Leather Work: Distressing, Painting, Dyeing
- Special Effects: Aging, Weather Effects, Metallic Finishes
- Budget Management & Production Coordination
- Team Leadership & Shop Management
Philosophy & Approach
“I define success as the ability to complete a project and watch the performance either on stage, TV, or the big screen. On a daily basis, I am looking out for ways to both better myself and the company.”
My approach to costume design is rooted in:
Collaboration – Working closely with directors, designers, and actors to understand and realize their vision
Research – Thorough historical and contextual research to ensure authenticity and period accuracy
Craftsmanship – Meticulous attention to detail in every stitch, seam, and embellishment
Innovation – Creative problem-solving to achieve effects within budget and time constraints
Character-Driven Design – Understanding that costume is character, and every choice tells part of the story
Elevate Your Production With Professional Costume Design
Trusted by HBO, Amazon, and major productions. CalArts-trained expertise meets cutting-edge fabrication for film, television, and custom projects.