Arianne Phillips, Costume Designer, Fashion Editor, Stylist

What did you do immediately before this questionnaire?
Had a conference call.

What will you do immediately following this questionnaire?
Go swimming. It’s hot in L.A.

What is your idea of bliss?
A day with no plans, with people I love, in a beautiful remote place, with mountains to hike, beaches to swim and a great kitchen to cook in.

What is the strangest article of clothing in your closet?
An Amish apron and a fencing breast-plate.

What is your proudest moment?
Being nominated for an Oscar [Walk the Line] and bringing my parents to the ceremony.

What would be the first sentence of your biography?
Arianne Phillips, a legend in her own mind.

What is your best personality trait?
Being approachable and friendly.

What is your worst personality trait?
Impatience.

What is the most inspiring place you’ve visited?
My nephew’s school and a domestic-violence women’s shelter.

What is your most embarrassing fashion moment?
In New York when I was 20 years old, I dragged a model friend to an audition for a Bodymap fashion show. The person in charge demanded that I “walk.” I broke into a full body sweat and then tripped flat on my face as the heel of my 70s thrift-store platforms broke.

What do you do when you’re creatively blocked?
Procrastinate and stress eat.

What is the most attractive quality in a person?
Kindness, humor, honesty and loyalty.

What makes you feel the most alive?
My boyfriend Mike and being in love. Also, traveling, music and nature.

What is your best talent, after your work?
Cooking and eating.

What would you ask for if you were granted one wish?
To end hunger, poverty and disease.

What is your greatest fear?
The loss of my loved ones.

What has been your greatest loss?
Sixty pounds.

Who was your favorite cartoon character as a child?
The Banana Splits. Does that count?

What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
Love.

What is the best gift you’ve ever given?
Ask my boyfriend.

What historical figure would you most like to meet?
Anne Boleyn, John Lennon or Harvey Milk.

What is your most treasured possession?
Our two dogs and two cats.

What have you marched in the streets for?
What haven’t I marched for? Anti-war, marriage equality, gay rights, civil rights, to free Soviet Jews in the 70s, etc. I was raised marching with my parents in the 60s and 70s in Berkeley, California, and try to continue the tradition.

What would you march in the streets for?
Justice, peace, human rights and good wigs.

What is your drag name? (name of first pet + name of first street)
Pâté Cornelia.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Time travel.