Amanda Llewellyn/ViewArtist Heather Hermann, 21, shows off one of her pieces in her North Las Vegas home. Hermann recently began working with veteran Hollywood costume designer Diana Eden.
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Twenty-one-year-old artist Heather Hermann was never one for believing in stuff like karma or serendipity. That was, until a few months ago when an article she read in the newspaper changed her life forever.
The article "Dressing up Hollywood: Movie costumer hopes to teach craft," which ran in the April 14 edition of the North Las Vegas View, chronicled the life and work of veteran Hollywood costume designer Diana Eden, who had moved to the Aliante area a year ago.
"It really changed the course of things for me when I read the article," Hermann said. "Her (Eden's) work cried out to me and made me remember dreams that I had shelved while I was still in high school. So, I felt this push to reach out to her and try to learn all she has to offer."
Hermann, who graduated from Las Vegas Academy more than three years ago, said she had grand dreams of attending a prestigious art school in New York and leaving her mark on the world. But, in the past year, as the economy crumbled and financial rivers ran dry, Hermann's dream also evaporated, along with her well-laid plans for the future.
"It was a frustrating scenario," she said. "I'd always dreamed of becoming a costume designer. I wanted to sell my work in galleries. I wanted to learn more about my craft. But I was becoming a bit discouraged and searching for a direction."
That's when Hermann said that fate stepped in, and she was put in touch with Eden.
The pair's first meeting led to a part-time costume illustrator gig for Hermann, who said she never expected to gain a mentor in Eden.
"I read the article that said she was interested in giving classes about costuming," she said. "I wanted to meet with her to enroll, but when she saw my portfolio, she immediately offered me this job."
Eden said she is thrilled to be working with Hermann, whose talents as a costume illustrator are considerable.
"Not only is she a brilliant artist, but she is smart and stylish, well beyond her young age," Eden said. "And, most importantly for me, she was able to adapt her personal drawing style to my costume design style so that the work was truly collaborative."
Eden and Hermann currently are working on a number of projects together, including costuming for a 1930s, vintage musical coming to The Venetian in the next year.
"It's kind of top secret so I can't say anything more than that," Hermann said. "But I'm learning so much. And I am finally able to use my talent to propel me in the direction I want to go."
Hermann said she hopes to one day work on big-budget productions, dressing stars such as Johnny Depp. And, according to Hermann, with a mentor like Eden, it's a dream that might just come true.
"There's a possibility I could be working with Diana on an independent film soon," she said. "Although we are still in talks and nothing is finalized. The point is, everything I am doing, I would do for free just for the experience. I am here to learn. And for the first time in a long time, I feel like dreams can become reality and opportunity can arise from the strangest places. You just have to put yourself out there."
Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.
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