Take a look at her profile and you’ll know that Hollywood costume designer Mayes Rubeo has worked for almost all genres of films.

She has been associated with Hollywood flicks such as Avatar, Dragonball: Evolution, Apocalypto, Sunshine State, The Arrival, among others. But did you know that the talented designer is a huge Bollywood fan and admires Indian filmmaker Mira Nair the most? “I have watched many Bollywood movies. It’s fascinating. I particularly like the ones by Mira Nair… I think she is fabulous,” she says. Does that mean she is keen to work in Bollywood too? “Of course! I would love to do any film in India, China or anywhere in Asia,” she smiles. “I’d really love to visit India and work there.”

The last we got a slice of her maverick work was perhaps in James Cameron’s trendsetting movie Avatar. So, was it difficult? “Not at all,” replies Rubeo. “James Cameron is a genius. He is just amazing to work with and has this brilliant quality of being able to communicate to you what he wants, so well,” adds Rubeo, who’s also worked for TV shows like Fidel — for which she was nominated for a Costume Designers Guild Award. Next in line is the upcoming film John Carter, wherein Rubeo has designed for the lead actress Lynn Collin.

“Lynn has done total justice to the outfits. I’ve given her some princess gowns which she managed to carry with natural grace,” says Rubeo, adding, “We’ve imported a lot of stuff from India for this movie, mainly the fabrics.”