2023 Wins, Losses and Lessons Learned

The Oscars

Because of my connection to the Academy Gold Rising Program, I was asked to be a part of the fan experience at this year’s Oscars. This meant that I got to dress hella cute and be on the champagne carpet watching all the stars go by.

Unionized

I got my days yall! That’s right, I’m a member of Local 705, The Motion Pictures Costumers’ union. I was officially sworn in on October 14th which comes approximately 4 years after starting this journey into the costume world as a middle-aged student at community college.

Work & The Strike

After 9 months of prep, production and wrap, I finished working on “The Joker: Folie a Deux.” It was the best of times…it was the worst of times. While there I learned a lot, not only about the business, but about myself. I also met some of the most interesting people on earth (that happens a lot when you work with background actors).

The crew that worked on this project were super talented and willing to teach. I am thankful for the patience of them all.

After work ended for all of us on Joker, it also ended for everyone in the industry as the writers’ strike, well, struck. Then the actors joined the strike in July. Even though my union was not on strike, no one was able to work on any projects because the entire industry shut down. Thankfully in September, the writers and AMTMP were able to reach an agreement that everyone was happy with. The actors are still holding out, as they should. And even if an agreement is made this year, the likelihood of returning to work in 2023 is small. But I’m trying my best to be optimistic that this will end soon…dear GOD let it end soon!

RUTH

I finally met, in person (we’ve had several virtual meetings and brushes), the incomparable Ruth E. Carter. She is my mentor (in my head) and my inspiration for taking this big fat leap into the business of costumes.

She was doing a signing of her book, The Art of Ruth E. Carter, at The Academy Museum, and I made sure to be there. Always kind and gracious, I was filled with all the warm and fuzzies as she took a moment to share some nice words and sign my book. Thank you Ms. Carter!

Shorts

The interesting thing that happened when union work stopped was that non-union work picked all the way up for me. I have worked as a costume designer on two short films and have two more lined up for Spring 2024. I couldn’t be more thankful for these opportunities to work on amazing stories and connect with amazing people.

Home Brewed Love

There has been a lot of transition happening for me. One of the things that had been a big part of my life for the past 7 years was my Etsy shop, Home Brewed Love. Being a one-man band has been, at many times, rewarding and at other times, so God damned stressful. I had gotten to a point with the shop that it ceased being fun and started to become more work and trouble than it was worth. No, literally. I was pouring in more money to it than I was making and wasn’t even enjoying the process, so it had to go. It served a purpose for a very long time and as I shuttered its virtual doors, I thanked it and bid it a fond farewell.

Cosmetic Stuff

Two years ago in October I decided to go back to loc’ing my hair. This year in October I decided to go gray. Ever since the pandemic my hair has turned almost 50% gray. So I pledged that until I go back to full time costume work, I will not dye my hair. My hope is that I’ll eventually be comfortable enough with it that I don’t have to ever dye it again. But the jury is still out.

I also, after a lot of thought and research decided to get my eyebrows microbladed. I like, many other teens of the 90s over plucked my eyebrows. I didn’t have a lot to pluck to begin with, but then when I finally let them grow back in, they came in sparse AF…I’m talking a careless whisper y’all. My sissy Dee got hers done this year and they looked so good that I decided to give it a shot. And bay-bay! Y’all can’t tell me NOTHIN’ with these new eyebrows. They open up my face, they make me look younger, hell, maybe they’ll be able to counter the damage that my gray hairs are currently wrecking on my cute visage. Special thanks to Jessica at Ink Doll. Hunny you did that!

Daddy

On March 14th my dad, Rev. Dr. Stacy S. Poullard, unexpectedly passed away. My grief over losing him has been at times unbearable. I have had rolling waves of emotion that have rendered me unable to do some of the most basic functions. Other times, I’m running on autopilot, going through the motions of the day. I can complete tasks but I can’t engage or emote because it is literally just too much.

His sudden loss has made me think, a lot, and question, a lot, and purge, a lot. I’ve learned how to refocus my energy and that sometimes it’s okay to just care for myself. It’s not selfish, it’s self-love.

I am thankful to all the friends and family who have sent me well wishes and positive energy and who have held space for me to grieve in whichever way I see fit. And for anyone who feels that during this year I haven’t done enough for them, been present enough for them, been available enough for them…sorry, not sorry. My dad’s dead. Cut me some slack.

2023 has been a rough and very self-exploratory year for me. Losing my dad, losing familial and friend connections, taking a hard look at myself and being accountable for decisions I’ve made and actions I’ve taken, have all affected me in a weird way.

I’m still working through all of it and trying to not project my stuff on to others OR take things that others say or do too personally.

I’m grateful for the relationships that have grown stronger this year, and I’m motivated to continue to water those flowers.

2024 Manifestations

Some of these manifestations a similar to ones I had for 2023. But this year I’ve learned that there are some things that I’m no longer interested in or no longer serve me. So let’s see what I can accomplish in the upcoming year.

-Work on a feature as a costume designer.

-Get into Local 892, The Costume Designers’ Guild

-Start compiling my short stories into a book.

-Produce more videos for Flair Huxtable and turn this site into a real money maker.

-Get back to exploring Los Angeles.

-Learn to love this body that I live in, both by treating it better and giving it grace to look however it’s gonna look.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…

Image Source

I’m going to take all the support and encouragement that I’ve received, all of the gains, all of the lessons, and let that fuel me through this upcoming year.

Lo’s Year in Review...2023