Costume Designer Camille Benda Crafts Wardrobe for HBO Comedy Series ‘Youth’
HBO’s highly anticipated comedy series “Youth,” starring Sharon Horgan, offers a candid, laugh-out-loud look at aging, sex, and family dynamics. At the heart of its storytelling are the captivating clothes designed by acclaimed costume designer Camille Benda, according to the supplied announcement. Benda’s work anchors the visual storytelling for the series.
Benda’s costumes blend the cool, fashion-forward vibe of East London’s creative scene with the realities of everyday life. They shift seamlessly between smart work looks, cozy homelife attire, designer vintage and stylish couples. Her team immersed themselves in London neighborhoods, walking streets, snapping photos, and exploring local shops, thrift stores, and antique malls to capture how Londoners dress today. This on-the-ground research was essential for creating authentic looks in the series and reflecting the true spirit of London fashion.
Camille collaborated closely with the cast to understand their characters’ motivations, ensuring each piece served the story and scene. The color palette reflects the city itself: grays of concrete, reds of buses, blacks of taxis, and pops of neon against rainy, cloudy skies. She shares, “It was a delight to work on ‘Youth’, with so many changes of locations and an outstanding cast that embraced the costumes as part of their characters.”
Based in Los Angeles, the costume designer Camille Benda has accumulated three decades of experience working across the fields of theater, film, television, and commercials. Her distinctive research-driven approach to her craft is deeply rooted in her profound love for art history and languages. The impressive portfolio she has built over the years includes her work with a range of talented actors like JK Simmons, Marisa Tomei, Jason Momoa, and Lily Gladstone. In addition, she has designed the costumes for both seasons of the series Bad Sisters for Apple TV+. Her designs have also been featured in productions at the Geffen Playhouse, Yale Repertory Theatre, and Rattlestick Theater. Among her many film credits are the titles The Last Manhunt, The Quiet Ones, Lilting, and Cheerful Weather for a Wedding.
Camille is also the author of print books Dressing the Resistance, exploring how we use dress, costume, nudity and adornment for protest and activism, and Bending The Rules: Fashion Beyond The Binary, celebrating how clothes can communicate gender identity and expression. She’s a faculty member at California Institute of the Arts, holds an MFA from Yale School of Drama, and a Master’s from the Courtauld Institute in the History of Dress.
