Steve Summers
Steven Kent Summers | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harriman, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Costume designer, creative director |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | Styling Dolly Parton for over three decades; creative director of Dolly Parton Enterprises |
Steven Kent Summers is a renowned American costume designer and creative director who has been styling Dolly Parton for more than three decades.
Early life and education
Raised in Harriman, Tennessee, Summers is legally deaf, having lost approximately 75 percent of his hearing as a result of contracting mumps at the age of two. Prior to pursuing higher education, he spent his twenties managing a retail store. Later, he attended college to study English and was also a member of the Celebration Singers choir during that time.
Career
Summers began his professional journey in 1991 by auditioning as a singer and dancer at Dollywood and Opryland. He secured a position with Dollywood, where he performed as one of Dolly Parton's onstage dance partners. After five years on stage, he shifted focus to set and costume design, dedicating 15 years to this role within the organization.
In 2006, Summers was named creative director for Dolly Parton Enterprises and furthered his education at the Fashion Institute of Technology. As Parton's creative director and stylist, he leads a team that crafts as many as 300 bespoke outfits annually for her, including custom footwear. These items are housed in a 50,000-square-foot facility that also preserves archival costumes dating back to 1964. His responsibilities extend beyond wardrobe to overseeing all visual branding elements for Parton, encompassing album artwork, stage design, guitar decoration, and the creation of costume jewelry. Additionally, Summers played a key role in designing the Chasing Rainbows Museum located at Dollywood.
Among his notable achievements is the design of the gown worn by Parton during her 50th wedding anniversary celebration in 2016.
Summers expanded into directing with his debut on Parton's 2020 music video for "When Life is Good Again." Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he produced virtual content and later served as producer for her 2022 holiday special titled "Dolly Parton's Magic Mountain Christmas."
Personal life
Summers was in a marriage lasting 23 years and is a father to three children. At the age of 44, he publicly acknowledged his homosexuality and, in 2008, wed Mark Williams, a professional architect and interior designer.