Renée April is a distinguished Canadian costume designer hailing from Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec. With her workshop based in Montreal, she has made significant contributions to the world of Canadian television and film, having designed costumes for approximately forty productions by the year two thousand and twelve.
Her remarkable talent has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Genie Award for Best Costume Design for the film Grey Owl in nineteen ninety-nine and a Gemini Award for her work on Million Dollar Babies. Additionally, she received a nomination for the Satellite Award for Best Costume Design for the critically acclaimed film The Red Violin in nineteen ninety-eight.
April draws inspiration from a variety of sources, including paintings, the natural environment, and literature, particularly for stories set in historical contexts. Notably, she led the costume design for The Neverending Story at Muse Entertainment in Montreal, showcasing her creative prowess.
In two thousand twelve, she was featured in the exhibit De film en aiguille at Musée de l'Amérique francophone, further solidifying her status in the industry. Her innovative designs also extended to a Cirque du Soleil performance in Tokyo. For the film Blade Runner 2049, released in two thousand seventeen, she crafted costumes that included inauthentic fur, painted cotton mimicking shearling, and breathing masks, demonstrating her ability to blend artistry with functionality.
In recognition of her contributions to the arts, Renée April was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in two thousand nineteen, a testament to her influence and dedication to the field of costume design.