Monica Ruiz Ziegler, Star Dresser for Robert De Niro

Manhattan Wardrobe Supply sat down with Star Dresser, Monica Ruiz Ziegler, to discuss the industry, her job, and what it is like to work with Robert De Niro.

What exactly is a star dresser and what does the job entail?

A star dresser is exactly that – a person who dresses a star.  Certain actors travel with a team of people: hair, make up, costumes, trainers, assistants… the entourage! One of those people is the costumer. (That’s me!)

How did you get your start in the industry?

I went to Film School at Hunter College in NYC. While in college, a producer offered a few volunteers an internship on an HBO show called Subway Stories. And that’s how I got started in the movie business. I worked every job from Office PA, Set PA, Locations PA and even Craft Service. After that, I was hired to be the driver to the Costume Designer on a film called Perfect Murder. That started my career in the Costume Department.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received pertaining to your job? What advice would you give now with so much experience?

When I was a Wardrobe PA, working on Analyze This, the Assistant Costume Designer, Emily O’Connor, told me to learn to make myself indispensable. I think I achieved my goal because I have been a Star Dresser, with the same actor, for almost 12 years.

Being a star dresser sounds like a really interesting job. If someone was interested in the field, what are some skill sets that they would want to cultivate?

I didn’t become a Star Dresser right away. I started in Wardrobe as a PA and worked myself up the ladder.  I did almost  every job in the department. By the time I was asked to dress #1, I had enough experience to be able to handle a star with all its perks and challenges. I was able to do a costume breakdown. Also, I had to know how to negotiate my deal with Production Managers, who, sometimes, are reticent about hiring personals.

What is it like working with someone as iconic as Mr. De Niro?

I met him in 1998 when I was a PA on Analyze This. Through the years, I worked on many films that he was in while he had other costumers. By the time I became his personal costumer, it wasn’t as scary as one would think. He is lovely, funny, and professional. He has done so many iconic films and he always brings up stories. He is also very loyal. So I am loyal too.

In addition to many De Niro films, you also worked on The Politician and Homeland. How does the job differ between TV and film?

Those are very different because I usually take care of more than one actor, as was the case with The Politician.  Your attention is divided among all the actors you take care of. There is a supervisor who does the breakdown and who has your back at all times. Plus, there are other costumers. So you are part of a bigger team In Homeland’s case, I was the truck person, so that job was completely different than being on set.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job? What do you find the most rewarding?

Every job is different, so I can’t say one specific thing. For example, on The Irishman, De Niro had 99 changes spanning from the late 30’s to the 90’s.   I had my own truck! Keeping the continuity was challenging. However, it’s rewarding when you see the final product and you don’t see mistakes. (And if there are… it’s the editor’s fault! 😉)

You were a costumer on tick, tick… BOOM! Did the musical aspect of the film present any unique challenges?

Not really, the music is like the dialog.  The dancing could get tricky with the actors moving so much and costumes not staying in place. But as Bob says, “it’s natural! Clothes move!” The main  challenge on TTB was COVID!!! It was the first movie I worked on after the break of the pandemic. The testing, the fear of getting sick and making others sick… but we got through it! We had an awesome team on that one.

Can you tell us about any exciting projects you have coming up?

Last year, we did a couple of films that I think are going to be excellent. One was David O. Russell’s Amsterdam and the other is one of my all time favorite movie experiences: Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. We shot this one in Oklahoma from April – August 2021.

Tell us a little bit about your history with Manhattan Wardrobe Supply.

I met Cheryl and Tommy a little before they opened MWS and they hired me to help them set up. It’s there that I learned what a Gross was!  (I made bags of 144 safety pins, counting!) I also made pounce bags and did whatever needed to get done. So I have stayed closed with them through the years… and of course I buy from them!

They have the best stuff! And their customer service is stellar!