Emilio Sosa grew up in New York City’s South Bronx, where he spent his free time sketching and drawing. “Then, at around 13-14, I got the fashion bug,” said Sosa. “I came from a poor working-class family and my parents did not understand what I wanted to be, but they supported it.”
Sosa’s parents made sure that he always had the right tools, such as a portfolio and new pencils. They knew I loved art and drawing.
It was worth it.
Sosa, a double nominee in the category of best costume design for a play at the 76th Annual Tony Awards – the highest honors in the world of theater – will attend the ceremony on Sunday night. He’s been nominated in this category twice, for “Ain’t No Mo’ and “Good Night, Oscar.”
Designer Emilio Sosa walks the runway at Gotham Hall in New York in 2015.
Shutterstock / FashionStock.com file
This is the culmination of an incredibly prolific period in Sosa’s career. She has also done costumes for Broadway shows “1776,” Sweeney Todd,” and “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.”
The New York Times called Sosa “Broadway’s hardest working man” because in 2022-23 he designed for 94 actors 450 costumes.
Sosa is a Dominican Republic native whose Afro Latino roots are a constant source of inspiration. He said that the color was the most direct link between his upbringing and his work. Color is not taboo in our culture. Wear any color at any time. There are no rules. “I’ve always been fascinated by color and the way it can convey emotion, which is so powerful and subtle.”
Sosa initially wanted to be a fashion designer as a young boy. A summer job he had while a student at Brooklyn’s Pratt Institute led him to costume design.
He has had a career that is incredibly varied. He finished second on TV’s “Project Runway”, in 2010, and competed in “Project Runway All-Stars”, in 2012. He has created for Diana Ross and Mariah Carey.
He has performed on Broadway in “The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess,” “On Your Feet!”, and many other shows.
Sosa, the first Latino , will be the chairperson of the American Theater Wing in 2021. This group is responsible for the Tony Awards, which are presented by the Broadway League.
Sosa compared the career of his own to that of other people of colour in fields lacking diversity. “The challenges I have faced are similar to those that a corporate lawyer, or a banker, faces in industries where people of color are underrepresented.”
He said that being the “first” in any field comes with great responsibility. It’s great to be recognized and celebrated, but I’ve seen many brilliant designers of colour who never got their break simply because their time wasn’t right or doors weren’t opened to them.
The Tonys move to Uptown, near’mi Gente’
Sosa finds this year’s Tony Awards particularly meaningful. The Tony Awards will be held for the first time in Washington Heights – the predominantly Latino neighborhood which inspired the musical In the Heights.
“Mi gente! [My people!] [My people!]
The show will air live on CBS/Paramount+ , broadcast from the historic United Palace Theater. Ariana DeBose is the evening’s host. She’s an Afro Latina Broadway veteran who won an Academy Award for her role in Steven Spielberg’s recent film adaptation of “West Side Story.”
The American Theater Wing is hoping to increase Broadway’s visibility to a wider audience by moving the Tony Awards to the heart of the city.
Broadway performers and audiences tend to be primarily white . Sosa, despite growing up in New York City, didn’t first see a Broadway production until he turned 20.
He said: “That shows how traditional theatre isn’t reaching the potential audience.” “By having the show in the city, we’re telling the community that you are part of us, and that theater is for everyone.”
Frank DiLella is an entertainment reporter at Spectrum News/New York One. He believes that holding the Tony Awards on Washington Heights would be beneficial for both the community and the neighborhood.
He said, “The United Palace is one of the most beautiful venues in the city. Why not bring some Broadway to Washington Heights?” “Broadway has a unique brand and a mixture of creativity. Why limit it to just the theater district?” he asked.
DiLella said Sosa recreated Gloria Estefan’s iconic look in “On Your Feet!” while adding his own twist to it: “I recall the vibrant colors that he used on stage.” This show was one of my favorites.
Adrienne Jones is a professor at Pratt Institute and a specialist in fashion. She said: “Emilio’s ability to adapt his designs to different genres, such as ‘Sweeney Todd’, shows his versatility.”
Jones was the curator of The Black Dress Exhibition which celebrates Black designers, and addresses the lack diversity in the fashion world. She said that Emilio’s career path was not uncommon in the fashion and design industry. In these fields there is no linear career path. We know this as creatives and we must accept it. “People like Emilio work and work for 18 hours every day because they love their work.”
Sosa believes that the world of theater will continue to grow and evolve. For him, this means more diverse producers, writers, and audiences who support all types of theater and not just Broadway.
Sosa gave his experience with the People’s Theater Project , a social justice organization, which aims to give immigrants and peoples of color priority onstage. “We need to broaden the tent.” “We have to invest earlier in our own talents and not wait for others to anoint us or validate us.”
Sosa’s advice to young people who are interested in a career as a costume designer or other theater-related careers is: “Don’t compare yourself with anyone else.” Just be yourself. “When you are your true self in every situation, it is powerful.”
He said, “Be yourself and love what your do.” “Because it is not money or recognition that will keep you motivated, but your own self-esteem.” It’s the work. You gotta love it, baby. You gotta love it.”
