Bringing characters to life through costume — where fashion meets storytelling.

Lisa Smedley-Calderon is an accomplished Costume Designer with decades of experience across the fashion, music, and film industries. Growing up in Cincinnati surrounded by fashion — with a mother who was a top fashion model — creativity and style were in her DNA from an early age. At just 18 years old, Lisa moved to Los Angeles to attend college and pursue a career in fashion, laying the foundation for a dynamic and impactful career in visual storytelling.

Lisa began her career styling legendary music artists across music videos, red carpets, award shows, and tours, building long-standing relationships not only with performers, but also with top directors, producers, and record label executives, while developing a strong sense of image creation, branding, and visual impact. This early experience shaped her refined aesthetic and ability to craft iconic looks that resonate on stage, on camera, and in culture.

Her styling work expanded into commercials and personal styling for top athletes and high-profile clients, strengthening her versatility across entertainment, brand storytelling, and celebrity image creation.

As she transitioned into costume design for film and television, Lisa refined her craft under the guidance of award-winning designers early in her career, developing a strong foundation in cinematic storytelling and technical execution.

Her talent and dedication quickly led to work on award-winning productions, including one film recognized on the Academy Awards shortlist.

Lisa works across a broad range of genres — from contemporary realism and elevated drama to period storytelling and stylized narrative worlds — always grounding her designs in authenticity, emotional truth, and character development.

At the heart of her work is a clear philosophy: costume design is the lens through which audiences understand a character’s identity, history, and emotional journey. Lisa approaches each project with empathy for the character and a deep respect for the director’s vision, transforming costume into a powerful storytelling tool that brings worlds to life on screen.

Drawing from her diverse background in fashion, music, and film, Lisa has built a reputation as a trusted creative known for her strong work ethic, attention to detail, integrity, and collaborative spirit. Her work seamlessly blends story, style, and purpose — creating authentic, memorable characters across mediums.

Beyond her costume design and styling work, Lisa is deeply engaged in leadership and community within the creative industry. She is a member of Costume Designers Guild (CDG), Black Design Collective, International Society of Black Costume Designers (ISBCD), Forbes Black, and The 100 Healthy Women Community, where she continues her passion for practicing and advocating for a healthy lifestyle. Lisa actively mentors aspiring wardrobe stylists and costume designers and regularly speaks at colleges and educational programs, inspiring the next generation of creatives.