Grace -Mimbs- Kora

Production Visionary. Artisan. Costume Designer.

Visual Communicator +


A native of Atlanta, GA, Grace discovered her passion for art, fabrics, and design as a young girl, entrusted to growing up under two incredibly loving, advertising creatives. "I knew I was ruined for a 'simple life on the farm' (as my dad would put it, ha!) because of the elaborately staged, themed-birthday parties my three siblings and I were indulged with, over the years growing up --costumes, sets, props, amazing game experiences, culinary confections -oh my! Especially after I visited Paris for the first time as a teenager, my precious father so wittily put it out there, again; 'Now you can NEVER go back to the farm!'" Having always been enamored with the fine arts, fabric, storytelling, and film --Grace began educating herself in the art of costume design through personal projects and extensive historical and cinematic research. Gifted in many areas, she is an accomplished designer, seamstress, crafts artisan, poet, and fine artist.

Grace continued her education, towards the world of career opportunities, through a four-year rigorous degree program at the main campus of the prestigious art school, SCAD (The Savannah College of Art & Design). She was awarded her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in production design, with a costume concentration and a minor in fashion design. 2015-2017, she pursued her Master of Fine Arts degree in costume design & technology at LSU's College of Music & Dramatic Arts, where she grew into a great love for art educations --through serving as a graduate teaching assistant, and then as an instructor for a few theatre courses for undergraduate students.

She describes her love for costume design as an entity beyond the allure of creating a fantasy world through fabric. The process of visually articulating a narrative collaboratively is what resonates with her most. Relationships formed in the creative journey, connecting so many people in shared experience and creative dialogue, outlive individual works and productions.

Historical and anthropological studies through travel are one of her biggest sources of inspiration, as she responds to a unique draw for projects exploring and preserving cultural heritage. In 2015, she lived in India for half the year, designing jewelry, apparel, and home goods as director of product development for a non-profit organization.

She collaborated on several theater and opera productions each season, while working in LSU’s university costume shop. Her costume work for Andrew Ondrejcak's opera, YOU US WE ALL was internationally debuted across Europe and the NYC performance scene for two tours.


“I find incredible accomplishment and purpose in being able to share with others beauty with the value of a message, hoping to impart visions that affect hearts and intellect in meaningful ways. Costumes are the adorning aspect of the most important feature captured in performance – the expression of the heart extending outward towards others.” -– Grace -Mimbs- Kora Read Less

MY MUSINGS: COSTUME DESIGN :::

The work of a costume designer is unlike any creative profession I know. -- It is a uniquely fascinating and challenging line of work, as its multi-dimensional demands span a breadth of areas, interests, and skill sets. Focusing on the human element is the dearest aspect of my work. Collaboration to produce something greater than yourself, and be able to do so in community, is an incredible experience.
Although costume design is one part of a greater process, the impact and communication of the art form is strong, whether an audience connects that to their transport experience or not. Specifically in this process, I am most drawn to the value of the core message to be visually translated.., and captivated by the way a narrative can be whispered visually to a viewer. What an actor wears communicates volumes about the mind, heart, and role of the individual (or group) portrayed in the context of the overarching story. Costumes are the adorning design of the most important feature captured in a performance –the expression of the heart extending outwards, towards other(s).

In much of my work, I am trying to express the vibrancy of life and the beauty of the sacred --through the visual and tangible. Evidence of my passion for costume history research is a common theme in my work and the projects I pursue. I am most broadly inspired by organic patterns and textures found across creation; from nature's extravagant intricacies and gorgeous minutiae to macro-aerial perspective abstractions... I am generally geared towards the maximalist-persuasion end of the spectrum (rather than the minimalist philosophies for this life) when it comes to my personal aesthetics, lifestyle, and means of design.


My MUSINGS: PROCESSES WITH DESIGN :::

In creating an ensemble or look that flows and speaks, for me is a process that requires holistic attention. Every part needs to be in sync and in rhythm with the rest for a pleasing piece. A strong sensitivity to light and texture interplay is common in my work. Attention to fabric’s refraction of light in creating, moving, dimensional "living'-looking pieces is additionally important to my 'eye' for design.



MY MUSINGS: INSPIRATIONS: OTHER ARTISTS :::

The unique styles of masters like Art Nouveau famed artists Mucha and Klimt have profoundly impacted my personal aesthetic and my favored 'stylistic throughlines.' The ways these artists each pioneered groundbreakingly 'custom blends' of realistic portraiture --fading into areas of illustration and even framed with early examples of graphic design --have truly become some of my favorite references of all-time [likewise, their works have definitely become 'regulars' frequenting the worlds of my 'moodboards']!

The skillful interplay between the beauties amidst bursting florals and unusual interpretations of the natural world (stretched, even languidly 'draped' and delineated!) into exotic visual-balances and fresh perspectives --is captivating! interlacing into the midst of a beauty's portraiture (always displaying of the graces of the human figure) REMIXED (sometimes looking practically stamped!) with prints, bolder than 'reality,' and the characteristically {elegant!} and stylistically bold linework tracing all the movements into one impactful IMAGE... ---It all comes together. wondrously. and so harmoniously.. in Mucha and Klimt's bodies of work, lacking no thrilling interest, emphasis, or contrast and yet invoking ephemerality or a paradisal sense of imaginative elevation! The defining and exceptional style of these 'otherwordly' beauties captured through Mucha and Klimt's deft abilities and confidently masterful use of personal 'artistic licenses' opened up the visual planes of their canvases and prints for viewers to see their 'unseen worlds...' they have truly transformed our impressions of the beauty of the human figure(s) and our connection to 'visual language' for attempting to articulate the regal --and even 'spiritual' nature --behind the person depicted. Read Less