Ian Carter Bio

Barbadian born Ian Carter is probably one of the most visibly unknowns in the Film and Television industry. For over 40 years, Hollywood-based Ian Carter has designed or tailored personal and entertainment wardrobes for top stage, television, and film performers and entertainers. As a tailor-cutter and overall clothing designer, Ian Malcolm Carter has fitted, altered, and/or custom-made wardrobes for the everyday person as well as numerous A-list celebrities, entertainers, and personalities.

Ian 's Celebrity Clientele

This list includes Tyler Perry, Danny Glover, Damon Wayans, Cedric the Entertainer, Misty Copeland, Chris Pratt, David Duchovny, Wil Smith, Queen Latifa, Samuel L. Jackson, The Commodores, Gap Band, MC Hammer, Sting, and his band, Shaquille O’Neal, Beyonce, Jodie Foster, Tom Joyner, J Anthony Brown, Courtney B. Vance, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Kim Coles, Lawrence Fishburne, and Angela Bassett to name a few.

Tailor | Alterations | Costume Maker

Whether you need tailoring and alterations for a movie or TV set, performance costumes for a musical group or theatrical production, or personal suits, tuxedos, wedding dresses, prom dresses, or gowns, Ian Carter Designs will cover you and make you look spectacular.    

40 Years Experience

With 40 plus years as a custom tailor, designer, and wardrobe specialist, Ian Carter has constructed garments for numerous films, commercials, videos, and television. On and off set, he regularly fits, alters, and constructs garments for designers. He's a personal tailor and alteration specialist for numerous Hollywood personalities. And he has an established track record in stage costume design, most notably, the Commodores Nightshift performing costume and the Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise specialty costumes.    

Film and Television

Ian's work has appeared in numerous film and television projects, including Ali, Beauty Shop, Barber Shop, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Ray, High Crimes, Bullet Proof, Antoine Fisher Story, Double Take, Coming 2 America, Nutty Professor 2,  Rush Hour, Money Talks, BET Comic View, The Arsenio Hall Show, The Jacksons An American Dream, and What's Love Got To Do With It?   Ian Carter

Ian Carter Early Career

In 1980, Carter relocated from New York to Los Angeles to further pursue his studies in engineering. However, his passion for sewing, which he began at age 14, and was inspired by his Mother, Everine "Lett" Carter, took over, and he found a full-time job sewing for Ruthie West, who at that time, catered to Hollywood’s Black elite. In 1981, through Ms. West, Carter received his long-shot moment, which was a job opening to be the personal valet to the hit recording group, The Commodores.

Ian Carter & The Commodores

Ian's work with The Commodores took him around the world several times. Once Carter’s sewing talents were discovered, he quickly moved from valet to designing and custom making the stage wardrobe for the group and their background band, The Mean Machine. In 1985, he went from creating their stage costumes to becoming the band’s official tour manager, which continued off and on until 2017. The Commodores featured here with Ian Carter and Marietta Carter-Narcisse | Performance and Stage Costumes by Ian Carter Designs

Ian Carter and Marietta Carter-Narcisse

Ian helped set in motion the successful Hollywood career of his sister, Marietta Carter-Narcisse. Marietta Carter-Narcisse launched her career as an assistant wardrobe stylist to her younger brother, Ian Carter, during The Commodores’ 1983 European Tour. Through Ian, Marietta met and toured with Natalie Cole as Natalie's image consultant and personal assistant. This led to a string of hit music videos, commercials, television shows, and a successful career as one of the most sought-after makeup artists in motion pictures. Tom Joyner as The Lion King on the Fantastic Voyage Cruise | Performance and Stage Costumes by Ian Carter Designs

Ian Carter & Tom Joyner

For almost two decades, Carter has designed and constructed intricate, elaborate specialty costumes for Tom Joyner and his team to display on his annual Fantastic Voyage Cruise.

Ian Carter IATSE Member

Carter, who currently resides in Los Angeles, is a proud member of the Motion Picture Costumers - I.A.T.S.E. Local 705 - The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Motion Picture Costumers are skilled, creative experts who make every costume design a reality.