On any given morning in New York City, you might spot Kat Ibasco power-walking through the theatre district, stilettos clicking confidently across the pavement, coffee in one hand, garment bag in the other. She may look like she’s on her way to a red carpet event and in a way, she is. Every project Kat touches is a performance, and every day is its own stage.
But make no mistake: behind the polished exterior is a deeply disciplined, razor-sharp creative powerhouse who is reshaping what it means to be a costume designer in the 21st century.
The Vision: From Broadway dreams to global impact
Kat Ibasco isn’t just designing costumes, she’s building a legacy. With her sights set on becoming the first Chinese-Filipino to win an Emmy, Oscar, and Tony, she’s not merely chasing recognition; she’s carving out a space for historically underrepresented voices in high art.
“I want to break barriers,” she says, “Redefine what success looks like, and use my work to challenge industry norms.” It’s not just about the accolades. It’s about creating a future where the next generation of Chinoy artists has the tools, visibility, and validation to thrive, on the global stage and at home in the Philippines.
Theatre and film: Crafting stories in every dimension
From Broadway productions like Here Lies Love to regionals like A Raisin in the Sun in Arkansas and new works like Franklinland, Kat’s resume already reads like a career retrospective. Yet she’s just getting started.
Recently, she’s been exploring a new frontier: vertical filmmaking. This mobile-native format is rewriting visual storytelling for a generation raised on screens that scroll, not stretch. And as always, Kat is one step ahead, designing for this emerging medium with the same care and intentionality she brings to the stage.
“I love that it’s fast, raw, and constantly evolving,” she says of vertical film. “It’s redefining access to storytelling, and I want to be part of that wave.”
Becoming Kat: A global education in art and identity
Kat’s journey began in the most unexpected of places: a STEM-heavy upbringing in the Philippines with limited exposure to the arts. At just twelve years old, she moved alone to Hong Kong. “It was emotionally tough,” she recalls, “But the after-school theatre program saved me. It gave me a space to express something beyond academia.”
She went on to study costume design in Boston, saying: “I fell completely in love with the art of clothing.”
From there, it was full steam ahead. A scholarship to grad school. An internship at a Broadway costume shop. A Broadway debut with Here Lies Love. A mentor in the legendary milliner who shaped her editorial aesthetic.
Princess or Powerhouse?
Kat says she laughs when people call her a ‘princess.’ “I do show up in heels,” she admits. “But I also stay on my feet 14 hours a day and make fast, critical decisions under pressure.”
Her polished, feminine style often causes people to underestimate her, until they see the level of rigor and creative intelligence she brings to each production. “The assumptions work in my favor,” she says. “I let the results speak for me.”
She has plenty of results to show: From designing her first regional theatre show right out of grad school to collaborating on multiple short films (and soon, a feature), Kat’s versatility and work ethic have earned her a seat at every creative table.
How to stand out in a saturated industry: Kat’s advice
Kat has never waited for doors to open. She’s built her own, and designed a killer outfit for the occasion.
For aspiring artists and designers, she shares these hard-won truths:
- Be memorable. Your work matters, but your presence matters too. People remember how you made them feel.
- Treat your career like a business built on friendship. Follow up. Be kind. Be dependable. Don’t just network, build community.
- Move with honesty and discretion. Your reputation will reach rooms long before you do.
- Stay curious. Ask questions. Say thank you. Know when to say yes and when to say no.
- Know your worth. In a collaborative industry, your voice is your power. Use it wisely.
Kat Ibasco
A focus on tomorrow’s spotlight
This month, Kat’s calendar includes Much Ado About Nothing with The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit (part of New York’s Shakespeare Festival) and Angry Alan starring John Krasinski. She’s also developing her third short film with a frequent collaborator, who, notably, calls her more than a designer: ‘An integral part of the storytelling process.’And that’s exactly what Kat Ibasco is. Not just a designer. Not just a technician. But a full-spectrum artist whose work elevates narratives with precision, poetry, and yes, impeccable taste.
Presented by: APG
