Conversations with Yasamin Sarabipour

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasamin Sarabipour.

Hi Yasamin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey began with a passion for fashion, history, and storytelling. I studied fashion design and haute couture at the Paris American Academy, where I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the fashion industry and work alongside incredible designers, including Rick Owens, Gareth Pugh and Jenny Packham during Paris Fashion Week. These experiences helped shape my creative perspective and taught me so much about craftsmanship, collaboration, and the power of design.
Over time, I became increasingly drawn to costume design and the idea of using clothing to tell stories and bring characters to life. This led me to Los Angeles, where I earned my MFA in Costume Design from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to design for theater, ballet, and opera, collaborating with companies such as American Contemporary Ballet and Independent Shakespeare Company. Each project has challenged me creatively and allowed me to explore different worlds, characters, and artistic approaches.
Today, I’m a costume designer and a lecturer and designer at California State University, Northridge. I’m the recipient of the 2026 Stage Raw Theater Award for Costume Design.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I think the challenges have been just as important as the successes in shaping who I am today.
One of the biggest challenges has been navigating different creative industries and finding my own voice as a designer. Moving from fashion into costume design meant learning a completely different approach to my craft. In fashion, the focus is often on the garment itself, while in costume design, everything revolves around the character, the story, and the world you’re helping create. Learning to balance my own artistic vision with the needs of a production has been an ongoing and rewarding process.
Working in the arts also comes with a lot of uncertainty. Every project is different, and you’re constantly adapting to new teams, tight deadlines, limited budgets, and unexpected challenges. There have definitely been moments of self-doubt, especially when trying to establish myself and build a career in such a competitive field.
But I’ve learned that creativity often grows out of limitations. Some of my most rewarding experiences have come from finding solutions to challenges I didn’t initially know how to overcome. Looking back, I wouldn’t change those experiences because they’ve taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of trusting my creative instincts. I’m still learning and growing, and I think that’s one of the most beautiful parts of being an artist.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a costume designer with a background in fashion design and haute couture. My work focuses on creating costumes that go beyond aesthetics and become an essential part of storytelling. I love exploring how clothing can communicate a character’s personality, emotions, history, and relationships, sometimes without a single word being spoken.
My experience spans theater, ballet, and other performing arts, and I especially enjoy the collaborative nature of costume design. Every production brings a new world to explore, and I love the process of researching, sketching, experimenting with fabrics and textures, and eventually seeing everything come to life on stage.
I think what sets me apart is my background in both haute couture and theatrical costume design. My fashion training gave me a strong appreciation for craftsmanship, construction, and detail, while my experience in theater taught me how to approach design through storytelling and character development. I try to bring these two perspectives together, creating costumes that are visually compelling but also meaningful and functional for the performers.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the diversity of projects and collaborations I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of. Working with organizations like American Contemporary Ballet and Independent Shakespeare Company has allowed me to explore very different artistic styles and approaches.
I’m equally proud of my work as an educator at California State University, Northridge. Teaching allows me to share what I’ve learned while constantly being inspired by the creativity and fresh perspectives of my students.
Ultimately, what matters most to me is creating work that feels thoughtful, authentic, and connected to the story being told. I don’t believe costume design is simply about making something beautiful. It’s about creating something that belongs to a character and helps an audience understand their world. That’s what continues to inspire me and keeps me excited about what I do.

Any big plans?
I’m excited about what the future holds. As an artist, I feel like there’s always more to learn, explore, and discover, and I want to continue challenging myself creatively and stepping outside my comfort zone.
One of my biggest goals is to keep growing as a costume designer and explore opportunities across theater, dance, film, and other forms of visual storytelling. I love the idea of working on projects that push creative boundaries, introduce me to new collaborators, and allow me to experiment with different techniques, materials, and artistic approaches.
I’m also passionate about continuing my work in education. Teaching has become such a meaningful part of my journey, and I hope to keep inspiring and supporting the next generation of designers while learning from their fresh perspectives and creativity.
Looking ahead, I’d love to take on larger and more ambitious productions, collaborate with artists from different disciplines, and continue developing a design language that feels uniquely my own. I don’t necessarily see the future as one big change, but rather as a series of exciting opportunities to evolve. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, but I also feel like I’m just getting started. What I’m looking forward to most is continuing to create meaningful work, building lasting creative relationships, and staying curious about where this journey might take me next.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yasisarabipour.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yasisarabipourdesigns/

Image Credits
Photo credits:

Mary Joyce for ACB

Caleb Thal for ACB

Frank Ockenfels for ACB

Grettel Cortes Photography for ISC

Brandon T.King for CSUN Theatre