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Designer Michael Costello on Creating Tide-Approved Looks for the BBMAs

By Danielle Directo-Meston
  • Ciara's inspiration was effortless, she wanted to feel ethereal but strong and structured [and] show off her amazing body. I worked really closely with Ciara's styling team Rob & Mariel; we bounced around a couple of concepts [that] all worked out great. Photos: Getty Images
  • I met with each girl and gauged their individual unique styles. It was challenging as a designer to come up with cohesive looks that accentuated their individual styles but they all looked incredible on stage.
  • Laverne Cox and I are great friends [and] her stylist is a dream to work with. We actually sent the dress over to her the day before without a fitting and she looked impeccable in it. It fit her like a glove. She looked incredible!
  • Working with Meghan is always a blast and I have worked on so many different projects with her. With Meghan we want to accentuate her body and show off her curves. She is still all about that bass. She likes fun fabrics that scream her personality.
  • Broadway star Idina Menzel]’s look was fun and effortless — she stunned in her cocktail dress. I have worked with Idina before and sent over options that I felt worked for her. Im such a huge fan of her I was in awe to see her in my designs.

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It' a big year for LA designer Michael Costello. In addition to prepping for his brick-and-mortar debut, the Bey-faved talent dressed not one, but nine stars (we're counting each of Fifth Harmony's members) at last night's Billboard Music Awards.

Costello designed a range of styles for a handful of show presenters and performers, from Ciara's leg-baring caped jumpsuit to Fifth Harmony's anti-pants ensembles to Meghan Trainor's shin-skimming sequined dress and more. But there's a twist: The Project Runway alumn reveals that all of the looks are "entirely machine and hand washable," which he created with the help of his favorite laundry detergent brand.

"On the red carpet there are always sparkly beaded gowns that are over the top," he tells us. "I wanted to create looks that can be worn by everyone, not just celebs. That's why I am so proud to announce my partnership and collaboration with Tide."

He adds that "as a designer, I am always looking to showcase my designs for a wider audience. Garments like the ones worn last night are so easy to wear, easy to care for and easy to be worn again." So Laverne Cox's stunning jersey and lace number? Yep, she can thrown that in the dryer and bust it out — sans shrinkage — for the next show.

Here, the designer shares more insight on four of his BBMA looks; scroll through the gallery above for more.

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