Wendy McPherson Benitez
Winnie Mac LLC
Creative Director and Owner
January 2021- present
Costume and Uniform Designs Projects 2022: Cedar Fair- Tricks and Treats 2.0 Family Friendly Halloween Event Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi NutQuacker Holiday Show Character Designs Illuminate- Elf Costumes
Costume Management and training consultation
Costume Shop design and installation consultation
Insta-Gore
Creative Director and Owner
January 2021- present
Silicone prosthetic gore embedded in mesh shirts.
http://www.insta-gore.com
Freelance Costume Designer
1993-2015
Key projects included:
Designer Norwegian Cruise Lines World Beat and That’s Entertainment shows
Assistant Designer Hong Kong Disneyland Paint the Night Parade and Disneyland Paint the Night Parade
Assistant Designer Pirates and Princesses Disney Live show
Farah Experiences, Abu Dhabi – Warner Bros World Abu Dhabi, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi and Yas Waterworld
Head of Costuming
2017-2020
Coordinated all aspects of opening for Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi costuming department.
Including, but not limited to:
Coordinated with Warner Bros on costume production
Wrote training manual and standard operating procedures for the costuming department.
Trained and mentored staff in management, tailoring and craft work.
Designed and oversaw production of costume for all special events at Warner Brothers World Abu Dhabi and Ferrari World.
Dubai Parks and Resorts, Dubai
Senior Manager, Costuming
2015-2017
In charge of all aspects of opening the Costuming and Wardrobe (Uniforms) department for Motiongate, Bollywood Parks and Riverland.
Generated and tracked budgets
Created supplies lists and coordinated purchasing and delivery of all machinery and supplies
Reviewed plans and oversaw construction and instillation of machinery
Wrote training manuals for daily operations.
Designed 70 unique uniforms, coordinated uniform manufacturing contracts with procurement, as well as oversaw uniform mock up, fabric approvals and production.
Designed specialty show costumes and oversaw production and delivery of all costumes. (over 15 atmosphere, shows and specialty acts. )
Coordinated production of Luna and Nova park mascot costumes with Jim Henson Creature Shop
Oversaw production of all Sony Studios character costumes including Hotel Transylvania walk around characters and Ghostbusters characters at Le Chef Costumier, LA, CA
Worked with Blue Whale Studios Atlanta GA to create character costume Jadoo from Krish movies for Bollywood Park
Consulted with Legoland team on modifications to character costumes for stage show
Resorts World (Universal Studios Singapore)
Assistant Manager Entertainment Costume Department
2009- 2012
Instrumental in all aspects of opening and managing entertainment costume department:
Developed procedures and processes for daily operation
Hiring and training crew
Helped to create safety and training manuals
Design and installation of facilities
Created budget tracking processes.
Partnered with and educated local shops in construction of theme park costumes.
Responsible for tracking a 3.2 million dollar annual budget.
Based on historical information, developed both Capitol and Annual budgets for 2011 fiscal year
Designed and oversaw production of costumes for:
Atmosphere costumes for Casino entrance
RWS float for Chingay Parade (won best float for 2 years)
Universal Studios Grand Opening
Universal Studios Halloween event 2011,2012,2013
Transformer costumes at Michael Curry Design
Walt Disney Company
Various Positions
1990-2006
Hong Kong Disneyland
International Costumer/ Manager Entertainment Costuming
Managed all aspects of opening Entertainment Costuming Department- Budget, Timelines, Costumer team
Met regularly with partners to identify needs for operations: crew and facility requirements
Partnered with Chinese counterparts to create processes for daily operations
Sourced contractors for operating needs: Laundry, Costume Houses, Fabric Sourcing, and Shoe Repair
Worked with Entertainment partners to ensure costumes enhanced guest experiences, as well as oversaw all creative aspects of shows, parade and atmosphere
Disneyland Park, Anaheim
Costumer
Created and tracked budgets and timelines yearly for ongoing shows (Fantasmic!, Electrical Parade)
Responsible for creative direction and managed daily operations of ongoing shows
Managed numerous special events from concept to completion (Grad Nights, Opening Galas, Nightmare Before Christmas stage productions)
Researched and created design presentations as per director’s concept
Oversaw development through final product of costume construction for both ongoing shows and special events
All projects finished on time and under budget
Researched new dry-cleaning methods and tested viability for difficult costumes
Investigated and implemented new flameproofing vendor and process
Educational Background
California State University Long Beach
Bachelor of Arts – Home Economics, Clothing and Textiles
Omicron Nu Honor Society
Nechi Award for excellence
.