Lisa Montalvo is a New York City–based costume designer whose work is grounded in rigorous historical research, material culture, and collaborative storytelling. With a passion for period costume design and construction, she brings a research-driven approach to building authentic visual worlds for film, television, and live events.

Her background in fashion shows, music festivals, and large-scale global event production prepared her for the fast-paced demands of film production and informs her work as a strong, systems-oriented department head. Lisa’s practice extends beyond design to include historical consultation, object care, and the development of archival systems for costumes and cultural materials.

Working closely with directors, showrunners, and cross-disciplinary teams, she strives to offer thoughtful, creative solutions that honor both narrative and material integrity. Her Puerto Rican heritage informs her sensitivity to cultural context and lends a nuanced, globally aware perspective to every project she contributes to.

IATSE 829 Costume Designer

BS in Cross Disciplinary Anthropology & Archaeology, BA in Art History and Museum Studies, Cal Poly Humboldt, 2026