Donna Berwick

Donna Berwick
Donna Berwick in 2017
Born(1958-10-30)October 30, 1958
Queens, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 14, 2024(2024-07-14) (aged 65)
OccupationsCostume 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, New York, the daughter of Norman and Hermine Berwick. She had two brothers. 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.

Personal life

Berwick died from breast cancer in 2024, at the age of 66.

References

  1. ↑ "Obituary for Donna M. Berwick". J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  2. ↑ Obituary, hollywoodreporter.com. Accessed December 22, 2025.
  3. ↑ Jones, Lisa (2010-12-22). Bulletproof Diva. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. p. 128. ISBN 978-0-307-77381-4.
  4. ↑ Uno, Roberta (2005-06-28). Contemporary Plays by Women of Color: An Anthology. Routledge. p. 309. ISBN 978-1-134-82380-2.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ "Nominations for the 23rd Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards Announced". Below the Line. 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  7. 1 2 Hewitt, Zoe (2020-11-05). "Big Casts, Period Settings Offer New Challenges for Costume Designers". Variety. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  8. ↑ "Ezra". Bleecker Street. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  9. ↑ Sterritt, David (2013-04-03). Spike Lee's America. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-0-7456-6347-0.
  10. ↑ Willis, John (2004-02-01). Screen World 2003. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 201. ISBN 978-1-55783-526-0.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ Kuznikov, Selena (2024-07-19). "Donna Berwick, 'Da 5 Bloods' Costume Designer, Dies at 66". Variety. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  13. ↑ Wyckoff, Anna (Winter 2025). "Donna Berwick, 1958-2024". CD Magazine: 52–53.