Biography

Lisy Christl is a costume designer who began her career in Berlin after graduating in Fashion from the Munich Masterclass. Her first film was The Castle, directed by Michael Haneke, with whom she has collaborated on projects like Cache and Funny Games. In 2003, she received a LOLA nomination for Shadows of Time, and in 2009, she won the LOLA for Best Costume Design for City of War: John Rabe. In 2011, Lisy designed costumes for Anonymous, her first collaboration with Roland Emmerich, earning both an Oscar nomination and another LOLA win. Her impressive work on the film included costumes for Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson as Queen Elizabeth I. Subsequently, she worked on White House Down and Independence Day: Resurgence with Emmerich. Lisy's design for A Hidden Life, directed by Terrence Malick, offered insights into the era of Franz Jägerstätter, who refused to fight for the Nazis. She also designed costumes for All Quiet on the Western Front, directed by Edward Berger, receiving multiple nominations, including a BAFTA. Moreover, she has crafted costumes for Berger's film Conclave, featuring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, which earned her a nomination for Best Costumes at the 2025 Academy Awards. In September 2025, her last film, The Ballad of a Small Player, was presented at various film festivals, it was directed by Edward Berger, with Tilda Swinton and Colin Farrell in the leading roles. She is currently filming Edward Berger's latest film project, The Riders starring Brad Pitt.

Project Summary

Lisy Christl takes a look inside the wardrobes of nuns, monks, priests, bishops, cardinals, and other dignitaries of the Catholic Church. Part of her research involves tracing the evolution of religious and liturgical vestments during the Renaissance and examining what remains of them today. She focuses on men and women who have chosen a life where their individual identity takes a backseat—a commitment to faith and community that transcends individuality. This decision also involves wearing traditional clothing, making it immediately clear to everyone how and what they live for. But what do these garments look like today? What does each piece represent? What symbolism do they carry? And how do those who wear them feel about it?

Lisy Christl is a costume designer, not a scholar; her work involves designing well-researched costumes, but even more, it is about understanding the people who wear them. This approach has shaped her work on films such as A Hidden Life, All Quiet on the Western Front and Conclave. These and other experiences have inspired this project. She is working on a book featuring photographs, illustrations, and interviews with the wearers of religious garments, as well as with the artisans who craft these garments and related items. Some of these Family-owned workshops, along with their archives, still exist in Veneto and Tuscany, where she will continue her research. This project is a collaboration between costume designer Lisy Christl, and photographer Gerald von Foris.