Desira Pesta is a Costume Designer & foremost a storyteller. A cinephile with a BFA in Painting from Syracuse University & Masters in Costume Design from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Desira is the offspring of hippie bikers & grew up in rural Pennsylvania driving tractors and a backhoe. She fled rural life for Brooklyn & for ten years, she ran her own ethically-produced fashion line. Desira accidentally entered the entertainment industry by way of body doubling and stunt work on such productions as Boardwalk Empire + Birdman. Desira's recent design work has screened at several International film festivals including TIFF, Berlinale, SXSW, and San Sebastián. Desira is a member of I.A.T.S.E. Local USA 829.
Was raised by two bikers in the woods of Scranton, Pennsylvania; and spent
the early part of her life driving tractors, bulldozers, and a
dump truck.
Obsessed with architecture since a young age, she studied it at Syracuse University, yet got her BFA in Fine Art Painting, which was much looser and free.
Desira's past work has included organic farming and shepherding in the Italian Alps, and after moving to NYC, a year as a personal chef and artist assistant to a grandson of Alexander Calder.
Was amongst the 20 final possible contestants for Project Runway Seasons 7 & 8. The casting department invited her to audition after hearing of her clothing line.
Desira has a Masters in Costume Design from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.