About Ute
Ute Hiltl is a professional pattern maker, expert tailor and costume maker.
A talented artist, she specializes in haute couture, custom-tailored garments and theatrical costumes.
Ute Hiltl was born and trained in Germany. She did a 3-year apprenticeship at Maria Maurer, Haute Couture Atelier for tailoring, receiving the Gesellenbrief certification.
Ute worked as a costume maker for the Mannheimer National Theater and subsequently served as the assistant to the costume designer and garment master at the prestigious Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern, Germany.
After four years working in theater, Ute went on to earn a master’s degree at the Deutsche Meisterschule fuer Mode, Munich, in patternmaking, draping, tailoring and teaching.
Following her graduation, she began to work independently as a tailor and costume maker for theaters, film, haute couture and private clients in Munich, Germany.
Photography by Mark Kopelev
She came to the United States in 1994 where she continued her work in theater and the fashion industry. Since living in New York, she has worked as the head of the Men’s Costume Shop at the Metropolitan Opera and has made patterns and costumes for the New York Theater Ballet and several costume and haute couture designers.
In addition to teaching pattern making at Parson’s School of Design, the New School, Ute offers private tutoring in pattern making, draping and sewing techniques. She also provides custom-tailoring services and advises private clients on fashion, helping them find and wear clothing to best complement their body and style.
Ute Hiltl lives and works in New York City.
Resume
2012-Present
2004-2005
2000-Present
1995-2000
1993-1994
1993-1994
1988-1992
1987-1988
1987-1989
1986-1987
Adjunct Professor at Drew University
Teaches courses in costume design, sewing and pattern making
Parsons School of Design, The New School, NYC, NY
Adjunct professor teaching pattern making and draping
Self-Employed as a Master Pattern Maker, Draper and Tailor
Specializes in haute couture, high-end fashion and costume construction
Head of Men’s Costume Shop
First tailor at Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, NYC, NY
Parsons School of Design, The New School, NYC, NY
Studied pattern making, costume construction and the business of fashion
Supervisor of Costume Department, Scorpio Film Productions, Munich, Germany
Director of Costume Department at Weilheimer Theatersommer, Germany
Fashion Designer, freelance at Mondi, Slendor Fashion Munich, Germany
Volkshochschule School for Continuing Education, Munich, Germany
Instruction on costume design
Muenchener Kammerspiele Theater, Munich, Germany
Costume tailor and wardrobe
Photography by Mark Kopelev
Throughout her impressive career, Ms. Hiltl has worked with well known directors, designers, singers and actors including:
Designers
James Acheson
Anna Anni
Raimonda Gaetani
Richard Hudson
Michael Levine
Antony McDonald
Frida Parmeggiani
Anita Rask-Nielsen
Carrie Robbins
Sylvia Taalsohn Nolan
Mark Thompson
Directors
Rudolf Noelte
Cordula Trantow
Robert Wilson
Franco Zeffirelli
Performers
Roberto Alagna
Jose Carreras
Vladimir Chernov
John Del Carlo
Placido Domingo
Ben Heppner
Peggy March
Luciano Pavarotti
Bryn Terfel
Ramon Vargas
Judy Winter