Born in Yakima, WA. Atwood began her career as an assistant to production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein on the film RAGTIME (1981). Her first solo credit as costume designer was on Michael Apted's FIRSTBORN (1984). She next collaborated with renowned production designer Fernando Scarfiotti designing the costumes and stage set for the Sting concert film BRING ON THE NIGHT (1985). This early association with the performer resulted in Atwood designing the costumes for Sting's other concerts and music videos. Atwood's subtle and versatile work was also seen in Jonathan Demme's films PHILADELPHIA (1993), THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991) and MARRIED TO THE MOB (1988). In the same year that she received Academy Award® and BAFTA nominations for LITTLE WOMEN (1994), Atwood also created the wardrobe for WYATT EARP and ED WOOD, her second film for Tim Burton. She had previously received a BAFTA nomination for her special contribution to that director's EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (1990). Her association with Burton continued through MARS ATTACKS! (1996), SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999), PLANET OF THE APES (2001), BIG FISH (2003) and SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (2007). During the course of her prestigious career, Atwood's impressive list of credits includes the motion pictures RUSH (1991), TORCH SONG TRILOGY (1988), SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME (1987), LORENZO'S OIL (1992) and JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO (1990), THAT THING YOU DO! (1996), BUDDY (1997), BELOVED (1998), MUMFORD (1999), THE MEXICAN (2001), CINEMAGIQUE and CHICAGO (both 2002), LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS (2004), MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (2005), MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE III (2006), and the upcoming PUBLIC ENEMIES and RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT (both scheduled for release in 2009).  Nominated for Achievement in Costume Design 1994: LITTLE WOMEN  Nominated for Achievement in Costume Design 1998: BELOVED  Nominated for Achievement in Costume Design 1999: SLEEPY HOLLOW  Best Achievement in Costume Design 2002: CHICAGO  Nominated for Achievement in Costume Design 2004: LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS  Best Achievement in Costume Design 2005: MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA  Nominated for Achievement in Costume Design 2007: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET 7 nominations, 2 Awards