Exploring Humanity Through Sci-Fi Exploring the Craft Behind The Handmaid’s Tale
In this episode, a sit down with acclaimed costume designer Natalie Bronfman, whose work spans some of the most visually striking and emotionally charged productions of the last decade. From the dystopian iconography of The Handmaid’s Tale, to the tactile, world‑building detail of See Season Two, to the stylized tension of the recent Psycho Killer, Bronfman’s designs reveal a deep understanding of character, culture, and the power of clothing to shape story.
Our conversation was recorded a few years ago at San Diego Comic-Con, where Natalie reflected on the winding, hands-on journey that led her to become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary costume design.
About Natalie BronfmanNatalie’s path into costume design wasn’t linear — and that’s part of what makes her work so layered. She learned the craft from the ground up, absorbing everything from textile knowledge to tailoring, from historical research to the psychology of color and silhouette. That breadth of experience informs her ability to design costumes that feel lived-in, symbolic, and emotionally resonant.
Her credits include:
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The Handmaid’s Tale — redefining modern dystopian costuming with garments that became global cultural symbols
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See (Season Two) — crafting a tactile, post-apocalyptic world built around blindness, texture, and survival
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Psycho Killer — bringing a sharp, stylized edge to a contemporary thriller