Tony Nominee and Spider-Man Costume Designer Eiko Ishioka Dies at 73

Two-time Tony-nominated designer Eiko Ishioka, who recently served as costume designer for Broadway’s Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark and the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony, passed away from pancreatic cancer on January 26, according to The New York Times. She was 73 years old.

Ishioka was born on July 12, 1938 in Tokyo. She attended the Tokyo National University, graduating in 1961. On Broadway, Ishioka garnered Tony nominations for her scenic and costume design for David Henry Hwang’s M. Butterfly in 1988 and served as visual artistic director for 1996's David Copperfield: Dreams and Nightmares. In 1986, Ishioka earned a Grammy for her design of the Miles Davis album Tutu, and an Oscar for her costume design in Bram Stoker’s Dracula in 1992. Additionally, Ishioka designed the whimsical, otherworldly costumes for Cirque du Soleil: Varekai.

Known for her surrealist vision, the designer collaborated closely with director Tarsem Singh, designing costumes for four of his films, including The Cell, starring Jennifer Lopez. Iskioka designed costumes for Sing’s latest film, Mirror, Mirror, which is set to be released this March. The film, starring Julia Roberts, is an adaptation of Snow White.

Ishioka is survived by her husband, Nicholas Soultanakis. They were married last year.