Donna Berwick, ‘Da 5 Bloods’ Costume Designer, Dies at 66

As a huge fan of cinema and fashion, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Donna Berwick, a brilliant costume designer who left an indelible mark on the industry with her innovative and inspiring work. Her talent was evident in the diverse range of films she contributed to, from Spike Lee’s powerful “Da 5 Bloods” to Denzel Washington and Clive Owen’s gritty thriller “Inside Man.”


Costume designer Donna Berwick, known for her work on movies like “Da 5 Bloods” by Spike Lee and “Donnie Darko,” passed away on July 14 due to breast cancer. She was 66 years old.

Berwick was nominated for best contemporary film by the Costume Designers Guild for her work on “Da 5 Bloods,” a Vietnam War veterans drama starring Delroy Lindo, Chadwick Boseman, Jonathan Majors and Clarke Peters. The 2020 Netflix original film follows four veterans that return to Vietnam searching for the remains of their squad leader and the fortune he helped them hide.

Additionally, she created the costumes for “Inside Man,” featuring Denzel Washington and Clive Owen, and for “Juice,” which stars Tupac Shakur under the direction of Ernest Dickerson.

April Ferry, the sadly departed costume designer, collaborated with Berwick on various film and television projects such as “Donnie Darko,” “U571,” and “Game of Thrones.”

Raised in Queens, New York, Berwick obtained a BFA from the School of Visual Arts and an associate’s degree in fashion design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Subsequently, she embarked on her career in costume design. For more than ten years, she labored in New York City’s garment district, creating outfits for renowned singer and musician Grace Jones.

Berwick was involved in the contemporary art world and belonged to the Rodeo Caldonia group, an assembly of innovative female artists who created artwork through various means. Following her tenure with this collective, she collaborated with Lee on some of his initial films, such as “Malcolm X” and “Mo Better Blues,” joining forces with designer Ruth Carter in these productions.

I’ve had the privilege of working with some truly talented filmmakers throughout my career as a costume designer. One project that stands out is when I collaborated with Nelson George on his HBO production, “Life Support.” The experience was nothing short of exhilarating, and I feel proud to have contributed to such an engaging piece of art.

Berwick is survived by her siblings Jeffrey, Stephan, Jimmy and Beverly Simmons.

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2024-07-20 01:16