| Donna Berwick | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 30, 1958 Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 14, 2024 (aged 75) |
| Occupation(s) | Costume designer, fashion designer |
Donna M. Berwick (October 30, 1958 – July 14, 2024) was an American costume designer, best known for her work on films by Spike Lee and Ernest Dickerson.
Early life and education
Berwick was born in Queens, the daughter of Norman Berwick and Hermine D. Berwick. She earned degrees from the School of Visual Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology, both in New York City.
Career
Berwick began her career as a fashion designer in New York city, and was a member of Rodeo Caldonia, a Black feminist arts and performance collective based in Brooklyn. She worked in costuming on Spike Lee films including Mo' Better Blues (1990) and Malcolm X (1992) with designer Ruth E. Carter. She also assisted designer April Ferry on costumes for U571 (2000), Donnie Darko (2001), and Game of Thrones. She assisted Caroline Eselin on costume designs for If Beale Street Could Talk (2018).
Berwick was nominated for a Costume Designers Guild award in 2021, for her work on Da 5 Bloods (2020), and was mentioned in Variety as an Oscar contender for this film.
Filmography
On the following films and television series, Berwick was credited as Costume Designer. She was assistant or associate costume designer on many other projects.
- Ezra (2023, Tony Goldwyn, dir.)
- Da 5 Bloods (2020, Spike Lee, dir.)
- Hemlock Grove (2013, television series)
- You're Nobody 'till Somebody Kills You (2012)
- Life Support (2007, television movie)
- Inside Man (2006)
- Miracle's Boys (2004, television series)
- She Hate Me (2004, Spike Lee, dir.)
- Crazy as Hell (2002, Eriq La Salle, dir.)
- Clover (1997, television movie)
- First Time Felon (1997, television movie)
- Subway Stories (1997, television movie)
- ABC Afterschool Specials (2 television episodes, 1993 and 1996)
- Surviving the Game (1994, Ernest Dickerson, dir.)
- Daybreak (1993, television movie, Stephen Tolkin, dir.)
- Juice (1992, Ernest Dickerson, dir.)
Personal life
Berwick died from breast cancer in 2024, at the age of 66.
References
- "Obituary for Donna M. Berwick". J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- Jones, Lisa (2010-12-22). Bulletproof Diva. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. p. 128. ISBN 978-0-307-77381-4.
- Uno, Roberta (2005-06-28). Contemporary Plays by Women of Color: An Anthology. Routledge. p. 309. ISBN 978-1-134-82380-2.
- Hoo, Fawnia Soo (2021-03-19). "Designers Behind the 'Promising Young Woman' Nurse Dress, 'Mulan' Witch Outfit and More on Creating Fashion Magic Onscreen". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- "Nominations for the 23rd Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards Announced". Below the Line. 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- ^ Hewitt, Zoe (2020-11-05). "Big Casts, Period Settings Offer New Challenges for Costume Designers". Variety. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- "Ezra". Bleecker Street. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- Sterritt, David (2013-04-03). Spike Lee's America. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-7456-6347-0.
- Willis, John (2004-02-01). Screen World 2003. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 201. ISBN 978-1-55783-526-0.
- Willis, John (2000-02-01). Screen World 1993: Comprehensive Pictoral and Statistical Record of the 1992 Movie Season. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-55783-175-0.
- Kuznikov, Selena (2024-07-19). "Donna Berwick, 'Da 5 Bloods' Costume Designer, Dies at 66". Variety. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
- Wyckoff, Anna (Winter 2025). "Donna Berwick, 1958-2024". CD Magazine: 52–53.