Madeline is a talented and multifaceted costume designer and wardrobe stylist based in the Bay Area. With her background as a Local 784 costumer, tailor, and professor of Costume Design, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to every project she works on. Madeline is known for her exceptional organizational skills, her ability to manage people and projects with ease, and her meticulous attention to detail. She is a strong communicator and welcomes constructive criticism, making her an invaluable asset to any team.
With a passion for creating costumes that serve a purpose beyond her own artistic vision, Madeline has brought together a wide range of creatives to form Bay Wardrobe Collective. This innovative (soon to be) non-profit provides a platform for costume and wardrobe professionals to flourish as a community, as a place to learn and help make the world of wardrobe more accessible to all. Madeline's leadership and commitment to her craft have made her an integral part of the Bay Area's creative community.
About Madeline
What People Are Saying:
“Madeline enthusiastically jumps into a very fast-paced and demanding production process. She is an extremely creative, imaginative, collaborative, and talented designer. Her work at San Jose Stage Company was always executed with a high level of sophistication, professionalism, and passion. She was a leading example of excellence for other members of the production team as well as the young interns. Above all else, she was an absolute joy and pleasure to work with during production.”
— Allison Rich, San Jose Stage Aristic Director
“I’ve had the opportunity to observe Madeline’s design process, her interactions with the other members of the creative team, and her inclusive method of engaging the actors in the creation of the wardrobe for their characters. I am confident that any member of this company would tell you the same thing I’m about to: Madeline is hands-down the best costumer I’ve ever worked with. She knows how to serve the project, and the people, as a true collaborator.”
— Marilyn Langbehn, CCCT Executive Artistic Director
Madeline's story
Madeline's story
What began as a small studio in a family garage back in 2017, became the seed of an idea for what the world of costuming in the Bay Area could be.
Back then, Madeline struggled to find adequate resources for costumes & wardrobe, that exist in hubs like LA or NYC. She started piecing together a network of creative humans and businesses to help her achieve whatever creative project came her way. During the pandemic, that network became increasingly wider and more important for the costuming community than Madeline ever anticipated. It was clear how hungry everyone was to find support and community. Among Madeline’s costuming circles, the conversations became clear - we need to support each other in a larger way.
What started in a garage, moved to its first own independent home, a small box, that we would quickly outgrow into our next slightly larger box. There was never enough space but it became the foundation for what was next. Opening a dedicated space for costume and wardrobe creatives to collaborate, work and educated one another. Madeline Berger Design came out of necessity but flourished because of the outpouring of love from the greater Bay Area costume & wardrobe community.
Over time this ideas has turned into three organizations to better serve the costuming needs to the Bay Area and beyond. Bay Wardrobe Collective, a soon to be non-profit that focuses on developing the education, community and opportunities for all costuming and wardrobing creatives. Empire Threads, a rental house for professional use in all mediums that involve bodies in clothes with a focus on the unique and hard to find pieces. And finally of course, Madeline Berger Design, a physical studio space led by a Madeline to create a home for designs to flourish.