‘The Mindy Project’s’ Costume Designer Made Mindy Kaling’s Emmys Dress

Mindy Kaling at the 2015 Emmy Awards. (Photo: Getty Images)

Tonight, while pretty much every actress was throwing out big-name designers when answering Ryan Seacrest’s question about their red carpet dresses, The Mindy Project star’s bright yellow, short-sleeved gown was made by someone you’ve probably never heard of: Salvador Perez. Kaling and her show’s costume designer have a close relationship and have worked together ever since she saw the Tim Story-directed movie Think Like a Man, according to an interview earlier this year. Kaling reportedly loved the actors’ outfits — especially since the movie’s stars reminded her of herself (“They aren’t sticks,” she said) and it showed Perez’s range in dressing women who don’t have the stereotypical Hollywood bombshell body. The two clicked right away, in part because of their shared work ethic. As she explained, “One of the things we have in common is that we are both completely obsessed with what we do. I do really well with people who are obsessed with art. Sal and I are a very good match.”

Aside from his work on The Mindy Project, Perez was recently the costume designer on Pitch Perfect 2, is the brand ambassador of Casio Watches, and is the president of the Costume Designers Guild. As if that weren’t enough, he’s also getting ready to unveil a line at Express that’s inspired by his work on Pitch Perfect 2. But with the move of the former Fox show to Hulu, Perez will continue to have his hands full with The Mindy Project. Kaling told Ryan Seacrest tonight that the switch to Hulu allows the show to push boundaries that weren’t always possible on network TV. “My staff and I are a little perverted,” she said. Which means there are now endless opportunities for Perez to think up even more crazy (and crazy beautiful) looks for Kaling.  

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