Everything to Know About Patricia Field, the Iconic ‘Sex and the City’ Costume Designer

Even if you don't think you know Patricia Field, you undoubtedly know her work. With a career that's spanned five-plus decades, Field's influence on fashion and costume design is vast. Yet, she is arguably best known for her transformative work on Sex and the City, a show that single-handedly changed how women get dressed. 

Throughout her career, Field has earned an Emmy Award and several more nominations, as well as an Academy Award nomination. And she not only disrupted the fashion game through iconic TV and film projects, but her (now shuttered) New York City boutique also served as a cultural institution for LGBTQ+ creatives, provocateurs, club kids, and celebrities alike.

Summing up everything Field has done is near impossible — and at 82 years old, she shows no signs of slowing down. But we'll do our best. Ahead, the biggest moments in Patricia Field’s career in fashion and costume design.

How Patricia Field Got Her Start 

Before capturing the fashion spotlight in television and film, Patricia Field began her journey in the world of retail. After completing her education at New York University, she opened her boutique, Pants Pub, on Washington Place in Greenwich Village in 1966. In 1971, the boutique relocated to a more spacious location on East 8th Street, and was renamed Patricia Field.

The boutique stood out due to its eclectic mix of clothing and accessories. And in many ways, it was more than a retail space; it was a sanctuary for bohemians, creatives, eccentrics, and the LGBTQ+ community. Over time, it became a hotbed for underground culture. Before hitting the dance floor for a wild night out, drag queens, club kids, and the city's most fashion-forward denizens alike would flock to Field’s store to shop for the perfect look.

Over the years, the store changed locations multiple times, eventually landing on Bowery. However, in 2016, after five decades in business, Field decided to close the brick-and-mortar store. When announcing the closure, she emphasized the desire to shift focus from retail to other projects, including her work in film and television.

How Patricia Field Became a Costume Designer

Field ventured into costume design in the mid ‘80s, guided by a recommendation from famed fashion editor Candy Pratts Price. Universal Studios was making a psychological thriller titled Lady Beware, and the film's director was looking for a costume designer. Pratts Price suggested Field for the job, and the gig thrust Field into the world of film. In 1995, the stars aligned when she worked on the romantic comedy Miami Rhapsody starring Sarah Jessica Parker. The two instantly bonded over their love of clothes — and fashion history was made. 

‘Sex and The City’

Parker's recommendation of Field to Darren Star, the creator of Sex and the City, became the catalyst for Field's rise to international acclaim. She was responsible for the distinctive, often groundbreaking outfits worn by now-iconic characters Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha. The show’s fashion had a profound impact on real-world trends, changing how women got dressed (see: high-low mix, popularizing designer handbags and shoes. etc.). Pieces curated by Field, such as Carrie's nameplate necklace and her Manolo Blahnik heels, became emblematic of an era.

Field and Parker were a match made in fashion heaven. Reflecting on one of the show's most iconic fashion moments, Field told InStyle how the now-iconic tutu from the opening sequence came to be: "Darren Star and I were trying to decide what Carrie should wear in the show's opening credits. And right around that time, I found what is now known as the world-famous tutu in a little sale basket on a showroom floor,” Field said. “I knew Sarah Jessica would love it, especially because she's ballet-trained, but if you're not in fashion, it's a little hard to understand the appeal of a tutu. So I had to do some convincing.” And convincing she did. “I said to Darren, ‘If this show is a hit and she wears this in the credits, it will never, ever get stale.’ And it worked, thank god. Really, I just love a tutu."

By the show's second season, the characters' fashion statements became synonymous with their personas and brands clamored to get onboard — and on screen. Field's keen eye spotted Fendi's "Baguette" bag, envisioning it as a perfect fit for Carrie's lifestyle. “The bag's compact design was perfect for a character like Carrie Bradshaw, allowing her the convenience to flag down cabs or light up cigarettes.” The relationship with Fendi came full circle 25 years later, when the label unveiled a collaborative line with Parker. 

‘The Devil Wears Prada’

After Sex and the City aired its series finale, Field returned to the big screen with The Devil Wears Prada in 2006. The film adaptation of Lauren Weisberger's novel delved into the fast-paced world of a top-tier fashion magazine, with Meryl Streep taking on the role of the formidable editor in chief Miranda Priestly and Anne Hathaway playing her assistant, Andy Sachs. 

Field embraced the project with enthusiasm. "With The Devil Wears Prada, I was able to design a transformative fashion arc for Andy. Everyone still talks about the makeover montage that took her from a lumpy cerulean blue sweater to fabulous head-to-toe Chanel,” Field recalled to InStyle in 2021. Field's impeccable work on the film not only solidified her reputation in fashion and film, but also led to an Oscar nomination for Best Costume Design.

Other TV Projects

Over the past two decades, Patricia Field has captivated a new generation of fashion lovers through her costume work on shows including Ugly Betty and Younger. Most recently, she collaborated again with Darren Star as the consulting costume designer for Emily in Paris. When asked about her experience on the Netflix show, Field shared, "Creating a simple expression of joy through fashion is what I do best. And that happy, comic, misfit attitude that we leaned into with Emily in Paris is something that people really connect to.” 

Field also returned to the SATC universe — albeit briefly. Because of Field’s work on Emily in Paris, she was unavailable when the reboot, And Just Like That…, was announced. However, when Kim Cattrall reprised her role of Samantha Jones on AJLT, she brought Field along to dress her for her minute-long scene. 

The Future of Field 

Field's passion for fashion and art still burns as brightly as ever. The closure of her iconic boutique has not been an end, but rather a pivot towards fresh and exciting ventures. Capitalizing on her innate ability to identify and nurture unique talent, in 2016 she introduced ArtFashion — a distinctive hybrid gallery/store that curates and showcases made-to-order, handcrafted creations from a select ensemble of groundbreaking artists. 

Field also continues to make waves in the entertainment industry through her work on Emily in Paris. Adding another feather to her illustrious cap, her autobiography, Pat in the City: My Life of Fashion, Style, and Breaking All the Rules, was released earlier this year, offering readers an intimate glance into her trailblazing career.