Biography
Sam Russell is the founder of The Wardrobe Department and has worked professionally in entertainment for over two decades.
His work varies from red carpet appearances to editorial, bridal, advertising, look books, and personal shopping. Whether it's a small scale or large-scale production, The Wardrobe Department works with design houses and public relations handlers across the globe.
Sam started in his hometown of Austin, Texas, as an actor/model. A bevy of local and regional commercials as a teenager would thrust him into the scene fast. He was headhunted by model scout and talent agent Page Parkes at the famous Houston hot spot, Boulevard Bistro (of Monica Pope fame). Sam's natural flair for fashion and Southern manners didn't go unnoticed by the Page Parkes team and all the local clients.
Texas productions like Foley's department stores, Academy Sports & Outdoors, Tootsies department stores, and Hawaiian Tropics Calendar would be the beginning of his resume. But, at the turn of the century, Sam was at a crossroads. He would eventually decline job advancement from freelancing to full-time employment with Foley's and their in-house advertising team to relocate to Hollywood. The goal: to challenge his portfolio and excel in his newly chosen craft.
Sam's first job was the lead costumer on the Pilot presentation "The Wannabes." Co-star Aimie Billon also worked for CFQ Media and invited Sam to join the editorial team of Femme Fatales and Geek Monthly as the supervising wardrobe stylist. Sam would lead Femme Fatales to win the Maggie Award for Most Improved Publication/Consumer (2004).
Sam was the supervising costumer for season 4 of TLC's "10 Years Younger" (2008). He dressed host Kyan Douglas and Glam Squad members Jeannie Mai, Anthony Morrison, Andy Paige, and Alison Deyette.
Sam was the second costumer on the Lifetime TV movie "Psycho Granny" (2019) and the pilot presentation for "Nite Tales," starring Denise Richards and Stacey Dash and produced by Jamie Foxx.
Sam was the lead costumer for ten episodes of SyFy's "Proof Positive" (2004), starring Amanda Tapping; the short film "The Tub" (2009), starring Dedee Pfeiffer and Melora Hardin; the pilot presentation of "My Dog Needs a Job," also starring Dedee Pfeiffer; and the pilot episode of "VIP Passport" (2006) for Fox Reality.
He traveled with Stevie Wonder in 2009 for the Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama, accompanying his client to all his high-profile appearances with CBS this Morning, Access Hollywood, The New Yorker, and the televised concert The Neighborhood Inaugural Ball.
He produced the John Wayne Cancer Institute fashion show at the Beverly Wilshire, hosted by Donna Mills and Mark McGraw in 2004.
Sam's truest passion is giving back. In 2011, Sam noticed the over gifting allotted to the well-heeled in Los Angeles and decided to do something about it. In his spare time, he travels the U.S. and finds unique stories of women through social agencies and non-profits. Once selected, Sam surprises them with a wardrobe upgrade generally reserved for the stars and valued at over $10,000 per person.
Cancer survivors, abuse survivors, single moms, schoolteachers are surprised with a rack full of clothing usually discarded or re-gifted after seasons pass.
Giving Closet has made numerous national and regional appearances. Robin Meade of HLN's Morning Express spotted Sam on Twitter and invited him to Atlanta for a two-part special viewed in over 100 million homes with streams in Asia. The Dallas-based national morning show CW's Eye Opener asked Sam to surprise a local schoolteacher he selected.
Wall Street Journal and Fifth Third Private Bank did a documentary short on Sam's passion project, the Giving Closet.
In 2021 Sam appeared on NBC's California Live with Laila Muhammad for a two-part Mothers' Day special. He surprised a local mom who was the survivor of a horrific attack by her now ex-husband and father of her children.
Sam's hometown support never stopped. We Are Austin, Austin Monthly, Giving Austin Monthly, and numerous local programs are proud of their hometown hero.
Sam is also a passionate writer. He contributes fashion, beauty, and travel content to Fashion Affair Magazine, Ventre Magazine, Truth Is Cool online, and Beyond The Bridge newspaper in Coronado Island, CA.
