Meet the Magic behind the Machine

Cover and images courtesy of Kerri La Londe

Kerri La Londe got her start in the costume industry at the age of 20 when she first moved to Calgary. She began by designing and sewing exotic dancer costumes, and from there, her life changed forever. From that point, she has had many amazing opportunities like getting asked to design Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat at Stage West. When Kerri saw the drawings that she had conceptualized in her head walk out on that stage, is when she realized creating and designing costumes should be her career choice. 

By creating and designing costumes, it took Kerri on a path of working in the Wardrobe Department in the Film and Television industry. After working for many years as a wardrobe set supervisor, truck customer, and costume designer for many films, stage, and television shows, she decided to take her career into her own hands and go out on her own.  As a young child, Kerri would cut out images of beautiful clothing from magazines and put them on the walls in her room — she dreamed of bringing the creations she saw in her head to life and creating beautiful couture garments for herself and others. 

Familia Roots 

A career like this can sometimes be generational (or familial), and in Kerri’s case, it’s both! Kerri’s mother was an avid sewer, and when Kerri was at a young age, she didn’t see the appeal of this craft, but as she grew older, she grew to love it and realized that as long as she had her sewing machine she could make money and be happy wherever she was. History tends to repeat itself, however, as it seems, it doesn’t take much to be “brought over to the dark side of working in the wardrobe department of the film and television industry”. Cue Kerri’s daughter Mackenzie who is now a member of IATSE 212 and finished working on Joe Pickett as a costumer.

“She had been on set with me since she was little, so it was in her blood, and it’s really neat to see her involved.”

Kerri has even managed to get her husband involved with her career by enlisting his help with creative aspects like gluing on rhinestones and any other area he could be of assistance. Kerri reflects that she and her husband had always worked together and that being able to combine her career with her family has been such a joy. 

A day in the life

A typical day in the life of Kerri usually consists of creating costumes for clients, doing alterations for theatres, or creating one-of-a-kind pieces for designers. She can be working on one thing one minute and gets a call that something needs to be done ASAP and has to switch over to that project. Kerri says she wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Kerri is now known around Calgary as the Last Minute Call Girl. She is still involved with the film and television industry and whenever they need a last-minute project done, Kerri is the girl to call. This tagline comes from the urgency of the film/television industry, and Kerri’s unique ability to meet extremely last-minute deadlines.

“I think you have to be an adrenaline junkie to love that type of pressure, but I absolutely do!” says Kerri.

Throughout her years, Kerri has designed outfits for Drag Queens, Wrestlers, Dance Studios, and that’s just the beginning. This led to Stephanie Prince, who was a contestant on Season Two of Canada’s Drag Race contacting Kerri to design and create her promo look as well as her Canadian Icon look. This promo look can be seen all over the world. Most recently, Kerri has created additional outfits for Stephanie Prince as well as local drag queens Addi Pose and Irisque-Iman,  just to name a few.  Kerri is a woman like no other, through her journey she has learned the ins and outs of sewing couture creations and recreations for continuity in the film. She is a wonder behind a sewing machine and an amazing person who is loved by all.

When asked why she was willing to share her story after all this time, Kerri wasn’t exactly sure.

“I’ve never really advertised myself, but it’s nice to know that people are starting to recognize this role. I always called myself Cinderella. I just want to bring recognition to people to just have the confidence, do what you want to do!”

Her hope is to help people find their passion, but if it doesn’t work out, instill the confidence to move on and try something else.

“This world is big and amazing, just keep going and don’t let them beat you down.”

Through her experience and her career as a seamstress, Kerri has learned that what matters most in life is being happy, being there for the ones you love, and following your dreams.