How the Costume Designer Behind 'I Love LA' Brought Rachel Sennott's Vision to Life
We speak to Christina Flannery about HBO’s buzziest show.
I Love LA is one of 2025’s biggest breakout shows, and for good reason. Written and created by the fabulous Rachel Sennott, the show also features a star-studded cast that includes Josh Hutcherson, Leighton Meester and Odessa A’Zion, plus guest stars like Ayo Edebiri and Quen Blackwell.
Along with its star power, another key element that makes this show stand out is its outfits. Created by Emmy Award-nominated costume designer Christina Flannery (also known for working with Sydney Sweeney on Christy), the show’s looks are nothing short of inspirational, fusing archival vintage with brands like ERL and Balenciaga, along with one-of-a-kind pieces that’ll live rent-free on our moodboards till the end of time.
As the show continues on HBO, we caught up with Flannery to find out more about her creative process, working with the icon that is Rachel Sennott and her love of Martine Rose.
Read on for the full interview.
Tell us a bit about how you first got started in costume design, was it something you always knew you wanted to do
I’ve been working in wardrobe in all capacities from a young age. I owned vintage stores in New Orleans and have always gravitated towards vintage. I think there is great storytelling in clothing and it’s imperative for character development.
What can you tell us about your creative process, where do you begin when starting on a new show?
Generally, I like to do a deep dive into archives. I use resources like Harvard’s library, and other online platforms. I’m also absorbing myself in social media and following things that feel relevant to what we’re making. When you read a script, you want to figure out a way to carve out who the character is, even if someone just snapped a picture of them. Clothes to me are so valuable to development, so making sure to get that right and understanding the nuances that are involved is so important.
How did you get involved with ‘I Love LA.’? and what’s it been like to work with Rachel Sennott?
I initially was going to meet on the OG pilot but unfortunately wasn’t available. When the opportunity came back around to meet on the series, I was elated. I knew this was a project I really wanted to work on so I spent a lot of time digging into references and carving out spaces for each character. Rachel is a dream collaborator, she loves fashion, she’s hilarious and incredibly supportive and kind. When you work with someone like that, it makes you want to work harder and I love that style of work ethic, being kind and supportive will get me to do quite literally anything to make a vision come to life. Goodbye weekends!
What can you tell us about your sourcing process for the show looks? What was the first thing you did?
My assistant costume designer Sara and I knew we were up against a time crunch. So we got a head start on reaching out to brands that felt fresh and relevant, while also taking meetings with thom browne, Balenciaga, and a lot of those larger brands. I did a lot of shopping in the city of LA. There’s so much access there to archive vintage and some of the smaller shops had some amazing one of a kind pieces.
How do you decide what works best for each character?
You have to devour the script really. Pitch the world you feel like makes the most sense based on what is depicted. Carve it out and work with the showrunner and actors to create this world that feels accurate and fresh. There’s a lot of trust and collaboration that goes into design. That, to me, is the most enjoyable part of costume design.
Do you have any favorite pieces or outfits from the show?
I love so many pieces. I love Ayo’s alien looks, I’m obsessed with Martine Rose so anything from them we used in the show really was exciting. The ERL jacket Charlie wears in episode four, and basically every outfit in episode eight.
What are some of the things you wish you could’ve sourced or things that didn’t make it that should’ve?
I want to keep digging deeper into emerging designers, and do my part in elevating the new voices in fashion.
Finally, how can fans of the show emulate Maia and Tallulah’s style off-screen?
Listen to some kick ass music like Amyl and the Sniffers or Wet Leg, watch Jawbreaker. Wear the clothes, don’t let them wear you! And don’t be afraid to mix prints, styles and eras.
