SOARING HIGH WITH FIDES
By: MARY ANTOINETTE CENIZA
Christian Cordella is one of Hollywood’s in-demand character and costume designers in today’s mainstream entertainment industry. I interviewed him to learn more about his upbringing and what helped him accomplish excellence in his chosen field. We also talked about their family-run Istituto Cordella International Fashion School and how it came together. Most importantly, he has valuable advice to all aspiring artists to achieve great success. Let me share his personal journey that led him to play a major part of that glitter in the Silver Screen.
(Puglia) in Italy. It is also known as “The Florence of the South,” with Baroque architectural monuments which is home to this gifted Salentinian artist whose presence through his creations have been felt and witnessed across the globe. Christia n Cordella’s amazing creativity, and expertise in the field of art has taken many different forms. At an early age of 9, he started exhibiting his artistry by painting “S. Francesco e gli animali” ( “St. Francis and the Animals” ) for the Church of Lecce and winning 1st Prize for his exhibition Lecce’s “Pittori in Piazza” (“Painters in the Square”) in 1983, which is not a competition for children. In 1990, he was commissioned by the Church of Lecce to paint a sacred theme, a treasure which he personally delivered to Pope John Paul II and now being preserved at the Vatican. Christian completed his advanced studies in The School for Comic Strip Artist (Milan), The Fashion Illustration (Marangoni of Milan), School of Sketching (Castello Sforcesco of Milan), and The Theater Design School of the Academy of Fine Art of Brera, Milan wherein he was awarded a scholarship for being an outstanding student. In 1997 he graduated with highest honors with a degree in Scenic Design. He was also recognized in the comic industry and had his own comic book, “Goccianera” and another one based on Saint Joseph Copertino, Protector of American Aviation and Astronauts. In 1999, Christian spent a year teaching art and mentoring gypsy kids in lieu of military service which inspired him to create the illustrated story, “Uomini Liberi” ( Free Man ). His international exhibition experience began in 1995 with his “Love and Peace” painting to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Hiroshima Holocaust. From 1996 to 1998 he was the cultural representative at Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida demonstrating the styles and techniques of Italian Renaissance Masters in the murals at its EPCOT theme park. His portrait of St. Filippo Smaldone (Deaf- Mutes Patron Saint) is displayed at St. Peter’s Square in Rome and became an official postage stamp. His set design experience started with the National Italian TV stations (1996), with a theater piece, “Faust” in Rome (1997), making billboards as well as set design for Kosovo war (1999), and apart from having guest appearances, participation in prestigious competitions, being published in magazines, creating winning stamps or painting portraits of prominent, respected people, it seems like his big break to the entertainment world was his return to the United States in 2000 again as an Art Director to create costumes and set designs for Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Busch Gardens to only name a few. Here’s to unravel the uniqueness and extraordinary glow of this awesome artist.
MAC: What was your childhood like growing up and how did it contribute to who you are today? CC: “I was very lucky to be born in a family of artists— my father, PINO CORDELLA is a fashion designer and my family has been in the business since 1783. It meant a lot for me to grow up in an environment where art, creativity, expression was always very welcome. My mother ANNA RITA CORDELLA, is involved with the business as well and it’s very helpful to have siblings who are also creative.
My brother, MANUEL CORDELLA…..was a patternmaker for Dolce and Gabbana and Versace. My sister, CAROL CORDELLA who is the president of the school along with my father is the founder of Istituto Cordella ( Cordella International Fashion Institute). She’s also the stylist for many popular Italian singers and actors… famous celebrities. I lived a life where at an early age my artistic family especially my father introduced me to color, shapes, and fabric,…..an environment where creativity and artistry were common to us. It definitely helped shape who I am today.”
MAC: Who are the people that inspired you the most in choosing this field that you are in?
CC: “At a very young age, I spent most of my time drawing. It was very clear to me that it was my passion so I put all my energy in studying, working and improving my skills.I believe that life had given us special gifts.
When we realize it, we have to dream about the gift that was given to us, work on it, and make it into a reality. So yes, I followed my inclination…my dream. My father had always been an amazing, driven, very determined, successful and had full of love for his craft. Thanks to him, I was able to really capture the essence of what I want to do. He was always there to support me and give me direction. I also owe him a lot for the advanced studies that I did since I was little. He recognized my abilities right away and was very supportive of my skill. I also had a drama teacher, (NAME?) who was amazing. He opened my mind towards literature….the deep meaning of the cultural base that we know we have as human beings.”
“Artistically, there is also this amazing Japanese artist, Iszhii Mirazawa. (CORRECT NAME PLS if necessary) I admired his artwork since I was very young. It greatly influenced a lot of my concepts and the way I think about shapes and forms. I’ve been lucky to have very good teachers throughout my life too who were able to give me some direction about what to do, and how to approach my work. However, most of my learning and my real achievements, I did it myself.
“Artistically, there is also this amazing Japanese artist, Iszhii Mirazawa. (CORRECT NAME PLS if necessary) I admired his artwork since I was very young. It greatly influenced a lot of my concepts and the way I think about shapes and forms. I’ve been lucky to have very good teachers throughout my life too who were able to give me some direction about what to do, and how to approach my work. However, most of my learning and my real achievements, I did it myself.
MAC: What are those events that have great impact in your life and career?
CC: “Different kinds of competitions that got me involved, prove to have great impact in my career. “There were also meaningful moments like when I was 24 yrs old (1995), I was invited for the 50th Anniversary of the bombing or Holocaust in Hiroshima, Japan. I represented Italy to portray the desire of peace and love in the world in my painting. It was an amazing experience to be an artist and be able to take a global subject which is about you, the people around you, and be able to express the way you think. “And then of course, when I started to work for the Vatican as an Apostolate, I had this great opportunity to meet Pope John Paul II, three times.”
“During the Kosovo, Albania war, I was able to go up there and witness the horror of that war that was happening during that time. These are the elements that made me understand the facts about life.”
MAC: What are the projects that stand out the most for you so far and why?
CC: “ The projects that stand out the most for me and the best projects for me to work on are those where I build amazing relationships with. One of the movies I love the most and I worked on is “Drag Me To Hell” with Filmmaker/Director/Writer SAM RAIMI. We were able to create a beautiful environment in making the movie and able to build great friendships that even up until now, we feel very connected with each other. It was a dream come true. I was able to work with an icon that I have always respected since I was 14. Among the most recent ones, I have really enjoyed working on the next Avatar movie with JAMES CAMERON. Working next to him was an amazing experience. I also enjoy the Next Avenger: Infinity War and Endgame. Actually, all the experience I have with the Marvel movies have always been wonderful. I’m thankful to be able to work and meet these awesome people, directors, actors, and actresses. This is a wonderful gift that life gave me. I appreciate it a lot because looking back, I was just this kid that loved comic books.”
MAC: How do you come up with your greatest work, what are the challenges in this profession and how do you manage to overcome them?
CC: “My job is based on the collaboration among the costume designer, the director, and the actor. It involves great cooperation and teamwork. It is important to interface directly with the artists and listen to their stylistic and choreographic requirements. The challenges could sometimes be about time constraints, budget limitations, or the many different personalities we have to deal with. It is important to find the right amount of balance and to concentrate on the most important thing to do. If not, in the end the whole project could eventually suffer.”In working particularly with Sci-fi movies, every film is a challenge since every director has his own personal vision of adventure and science fiction. “My job as a film costume illustrator is to make an idea and a fantasy visible in reality or making an abstract concept clear.” With my experience and skills, I try to combine all these different point of views, and all the various references and pictures to come up with the solution The experience with my family helped a lot. I am thankful for sure. I know about colors, texture, styling, and the fashion experience. I get called for some movies because they know my eye for the future. It’s sort of like my signature. I’ve always been so interested in everything that is about adventure, space, and the future. Reading a lot also helps to stimulate my visual capacity. We have to be precise and meticulous …… one must have passion, patience, and perseverance for this kind of work.
MAC: How is the fast phased technology affecting your career and what do you do to embrace it?
CC: “Technology is integrated in our everyday life. It is very helpful in creating a perfect concept. It allows us the flexibility we don’t have before especially if we have to come up with many different possible variations, or in some cases, changes in actors and job assignments. It’s actually an amazing tool to boost perfection. But of course, you have to keep up with the new programs, new trends through continuing education and training to be on top of our game.”
MAC: Please tell us how the Istituto Cordella: International Fashion School came to be, and what is your involvement in it?
It is a private school that brings in 350 years of the Cordella family experience to those who hope to have a career in the fashion industry. The Istituto Cordella International Fashion Institute ( Lecce- Rome) were born of the concept that my father and my sister put together and it was to give this generation some kind of understanding and practical experience how to become knowledgeable in this field. We developed courses with classes and workshops that are often held throughout European cities like Paris, and Bucharest. All teachers are well-educated and have proper training and experience. The main instructors include my father, PINO CORDELLA ( Monothematic Course of Working), my brother, MANUEL CORDELLA ( Industrial and Tailoring Modelling Course), my sister, CAROL CORDELLA (Fashion Design, Photography and Styling, Stylist and Image Consultant, Monothematic Styling, and English Fashion), a photographer, MAURO LORENZO (Fashion Photography Course), with my sister-in-law, INDRE MATUTYTE CORDELLA, my mother, ANNA RITA CORDELLA and I contributing in many different capacities. I fly to Italy two or three times a year to help teach figurative drawings and hold lectures about what’s needed to become a concept artist. Since most students are from Italy, I’m also able to give them global understanding of the job.This school is for the artistic aspirants of all ages ….it’s meant for all those with a dream in their hearts to become fashion designers.
What advice can you give to those who would like to be a successful visual concept artist/ costume illustrator as yourself?
CC: I believe that it is important to develop good social skills and great relationships with people to figure out what can really work or what you need to do to reach your goal. For example, I had this dream at the time to become a part of the set designer team for an Italian TV show. Since I didn’t know anybody, I decided to go to a bunch of casting to be selected as a contender in all these quiz shows. I was constantly selected and I won all of them. I got to know everyone in the set and in the end they eventually allowed me to be the set designer for that TV show.
Be very aware of your surroundings…of what goes on around you. You always have to push yourself and understand your limits. But, you can’t sleep on it… sometimes you have to sacrifice a part of your life to achieve a certain goal. Patience…this is a job that requires a lot of patience not only with the project itself but when dealing with people around you. Constantly, try to improve your skills in computer, aesthetic sense, life art, and interacting with people. Stay healthy, and be active.”“As the saying goes, Mens sana in corpore sano ( A healthy mind in a healthy body), …and for sure, always be humble.”
A long, accomplished journey has led to a busy 12-year career in Hollywood. He has been working on countless popular, and blockbuster movies one after another such as Avatar 2 and 3, Avengers: Infinity War and End Game, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 1 and 2, Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, Dark Phoenix, Ad Astra, Captain Marvel, Alita : Battle Angel, Fantastic Animals: The Crimes of Grindelwald, The Sisters BrothersAnt- Man and the Wasp, Shape of Water, Thor: Ragnarok, and The Dark World, Woman Walks Ahead, It, Hostiles, The Shape of Water, Downsizing, Spiderman: Homecoming, Guardians of the Galaxy 2, Fast and the Furious 5, 6,7, and , Kong : Skull Island, Logan, The Space that Unites Us, Star Trek Beyond, The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Case, Captain America: Civil War, The Winter Soldier and The First Avenger, The Cloverfield Paradox, Maze Runner: The Revelation, The Jungle Book, The Divergent Series: Allegiant and Insurgent, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Fantastic 4,Jurassic World, The Flash, Little Boy, Spongebob: Out of the Water, Night at the Museum,, Into the Woods, Unbroken, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, 300: the Dawn of the Empire, Arrow and Arrow: Year 1, Iron Man 2 and 3, Total Recall, Loose Dogs, Behind the Candelabra, Now You See Me, After Earth, Oblivion, The Host, GI Joe: Revenge, Retaliation and the Birth of the Cobras, Snow White and the Huntsman, Men In Black 3, Hansel and Gretel, Millenium: Men Who Hates Women, Cowboys and Aliens, Priest, The Hunger Games, World Invasion. I’m Number Four, Eat, Pray and Love, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Conan: The Barvarian,The Karate Kid, including TV Series like The Orville, Legion, Watchmen, Star Trek Discovery, Blood Patriots, Black Lightning, Inhumans, Good Girls, and Supergirl.
We can have tremendous respect and admiration for people who are authentic, people who happily acknowledge their family background and cultural roots. Christian never forgets where he came from. When he needs to recharge, he flies back to Lecce…his island of happiness and joy.
Through all his years of accomplishments together with his supportive, equally talented family, he maintains humility, sense of gratitude, appreciation, sentimentality, his humanity,….that certain depth of character which is a rarity in this side of the world.
Truly, CHRISTIAN CORDELLA in his own right and without a doubt is one of the brightest stars today who is tucked away behind the clouds and yet to receive the recognition he deserves in the Hollywood scene.