Originally from the former East German Republic, Swinda's venture into costume and fashion design began in the late 1980’s.  In East Berlin, Swinda was an apprentice to a master of costume tailoring for theatre and opera between 1985 and 1989.  Swinda’s studies with an "old school" master gave her a strong base in the design and fabrication of costumes and fashion apparel.

The collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 opened a new world of design and creativity for Swinda.  Her career immediately began to blossom.  The following year she was the lead designer at the avant-garde fashion show "Off-line Berlin '90" which was featured by MTV, news channel "Tagesthemen" and magazines such as "Bild" and "Fashion".  Subsequently, she was hired as a costume designer for various theatrical companies including the Komische Opera (Berlin, 1993), 20 Dancer Ballet (Berlin, 1994) and Opera/Gasteig-Munich, (1996).  In 1997, Swinda found her way into the new German cinema with her first feature film "Hope".  The recognition she received for “Hope” quickly led to work in television, opera, theatre, dance, and fashion / art.  Swinda’s work in Europe culminated with costume designs for the "Millennium Awards Show" for 50 dancers and a speech by the German Chancellor G.Schroeder- (Life/TV).

In 2001, Swinda relocated to Los Angeles, CA.  Since then she has worked on several feature films: "The Brothel," by A.Waddell, "The Gun" By V.Alenikov, "Garcia Girls" By G.Riedel, "Expired" by C. Miniucchi, Fred Roos, Samantha Morton, "American East" by H. Issawi, Tony Shaloub.  She has also been involved with a number of short films, including costume design for "Shui Hen" directed by Maximilian Jezo-Parovsky and "The Windfisherman” by Anna McRoberts. Swinda continues to design costumes for feature films, theatre,exhibit art installations and was recently a guest lecturer at UCLA.

2007 GETTY VILLA THEATREPLAY “THE BACCHAE” BY GULU MONTEIRO

2008 LA WEEKLY THEATRE AWARD “SLIDING INTO HADES “BEST PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR”

AT SUNDANCE 2007 “EXPIRED” BY CECILIA MINIUCCHI

“HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS SPENT THEIR SUMMER” BY G.RIEDEL

AT CANNES “EXPIRED” BY CECILIA MINIUCCHI/FRED ROOS…

RELEASED:

“THE GUN”,

“DEADLY END” AKA “NEIGHBORHOODWATCH”

“EXPIRED”

“AMERICAN EAST”

“HOW THE GARCIA GIRLS SPENT THEIR SUMMER”