🃜 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗶e

aspiring multimedia journalist

[conniespiracytheory]

Film Fashion - Period Pieces

In Period Pieces getting an accurate portrayal of the era is essential to the storyline. An example of fashion being portrayed accurately is the costuming of The Queen’s Gambit. Beth Harmon, Anya Taylor-Joys character, has a style progression that displays the 50s and 60s fashion evolution. In the beginning of the series, Harmons key inspiration appears to be Audrey Hepburn’s soft femininity which can be seen through the dresses she wears. However, as time progresses the audience notice androgyny creeping into Harmons personal style which is a clear marker of the uprise of feminism in the 60s where women were able to transition into the workplace. Beth faces misogyny in the chess world so her rebellion through clothing feels justified.  The change in Harmons hairstyle - a Bob with micro-bangs to a chic side part - displays her departure from childish ways and a progression into maturity and individuality. A highlight of costume choice in the series is the cyclical structure of light green: arriving at the orphanage in a green button-up handmade by her mother, Harmon is later pictured in her final chess match wearing a similar shade of green which acts as beautiful symbolism through a match cut. The Queen’s Gambit is a perfect example of accurate fashion design and progression.

Looking towards the tragic downfall of accurate dated fashion, a clear example is the upcoming Wuthering Heights. Although unreleased, audiences have grown increasingly disappointed following the trailers release. Catherine Earnshaw, portrayed by Margot Robbie, is supposed to present the fashion of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. However, the clothing in the trailer appears inaccurate, leaving audiences dissatisfied with both casting and costuming. Jacqueline Durran, responsible for the costuming for this film, holds multiple academy awards for her skill so it could be argued that the camp portrayal of the fashion in this period is a stylistic choice. I’d argue Margot Robbie was seen in less plastic looking costuming in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie (2023). When seeking camp portrayals of dated fashion, Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006) uses pastel interpretations of 18th-century Rococo fashion, proving camp can exist without abandoning the era entirely.  The only fashion progression shown for Earnshaw is her wedding dress, which is inaccurate in both colour and silhouette. The period favoured low, rounded necklines characteristic of late 18th-century Neoclassicism, rather than a flat neckline with a drop waist, which feels too modern. The only progression seems to be the stark shift towards 21st century modernisation.

Film industries navigate most of the general populations entertainment and so fashion throughout this industry is arguably the most important medium through which fashion is communicated and absorbed. Costume Fashion holds significant cultural power, influencing how audiences understand history, identity, and character progression.

Period Piece fashion can make or break the consumption of a piece of media and so the perfection of costume is key when even considering curating the art of a period piece.

[conniespiracytheory]

Film Fashion - ‘and now I know how Joan of Arc felt’

Following Netflix’s four episode release of the first part of ‘Bridgerton’ there has been one thing on mine and I can imagine a lot of other peoples minds, the Masquerade Ball. The costuming was both unique and camp, as well as most of Bridgerton’s costuming. I specifically want to focus on Eloise Bridgerton, Claudia Jessie’s character, and why her costume is important to her character in a multitude of ways.

Eloise is a feminist presenting character; outspoken, defiant, and for the most part anti-society. These factors of her character are why her costume of Joan of Arc is such a conversational choice. Saint Joan of Arc has many costumed depictions in both the media and even in holidays such as Halloween but it becomes controversial when she is almost sexualised. Joan of Arc would masculinise herself to not only help lead the French forces into many victories, but to prevent herself from any distress she would recieve from her male peers if she were found out to be woman. These are not the only reasons that the costume can be controversial though, a large reason would be that Joan of Arc was only a teenage girl when she fulfilled her duties and she was executed at only nineteen, so the costume when turned into something risqué become incredibly disrespectful and inappropriate.

Another thing often said about this costume would be the links to performative ‘white feminism’ which is often a Western approach to misogynistic ideals where it focuses on the experiences of middle-class women upwards rather than including intersectional oppression which almost defies the idea of feminism entirely, I see a lot of these traits within Eloise Bridgerton where although she is trying to beat the societal norms in the end she will still be wealthy if she does not marry, women of a lower class do not have this privilege. Joan of Arc being Eloise’s choice of costume can be considered ironic because of these ideas of the costume in general.

Positive famous depictions of Joan of Arc reflected in the artist’s work would be Fiona Apple, who often curates her music to the female experience and her struggles and Chappell Roan who writes her music on her life as an outspoken, music artist who happens to also be LGBTQ+ and tries to defy the normative standards for women in the celebrity world.

Although Eloise Bridgerton’s feminism can be seen as performative and just In retaliation to do what is expected of her I still think it’s the most iconic costume from the masquerade as it speaks volumes for who her character is meant to be.

Having more public figure inspired costumes in feminist characters teaches an audience of history they wouldn’t otherwise have discovered themselves which is a powerful tool of communication that I hope to see more of.

[conniespiracytheory]

Film Fashion - ‘and now I know how Joan of Arc felt’

Following Netflix’s four episode release of the first part of ‘Bridgerton’ there has been one thing on mine and I can imagine a lot of other peoples minds, the Masquerade Ball. The costuming was both unique and camp, as well as most of Bridgerton’s costuming. I specifically want to focus on Eloise Bridgerton, Claudia Jessie’s character, and why her costume is important to her character in a multitude of ways.

Eloise is a feminist presenting character; outspoken, defiant, and for the most part anti-society. These factors of her character are why her costume of Joan of Arc is such a conversational choice. Saint Joan of Arc has many costumed depictions in both the media and even in holidays such as Halloween but it becomes controversial when she is almost sexualised. Joan of Arc would masculinise herself to not only help lead the French forces into many victories, but to prevent herself from any distress she would recieve from her male peers if she were found out to be woman. These are not the only reasons that the costume can be controversial though, a large reason would be that Joan of Arc was only a teenage girl when she fulfilled her duties and she was executed at only nineteen, so the costume when turned into something risqué become incredibly disrespectful and inappropriate.

Another thing often said about this costume would be the links to performative ‘white feminism’ which is often a Western approach to misogynistic ideals where it focuses on the experiences of middle-class women upwards rather than including intersectional oppression which almost defies the idea of feminism entirely, I see a lot of these traits within Eloise Bridgerton where although she is trying to beat the societal norms in the end she will still be wealthy if she does not marry, women of a lower class do not have this privilege. Joan of Arc being Eloise’s choice of costume can be considered ironic because of these ideas of the costume in general.

Positive famous depictions of Joan of Arc reflected in the artist’s work would be Fiona Apple, who often curates her music to the female experience and her struggles and Chappell Roan who writes her music on her life as an outspoken, music artist who happens to also be LGBTQ+ and tries to defy the normative standards for women in the celebrity world.

Although Eloise Bridgerton’s feminism can be seen as performative and just In retaliation to do what is expected of her I still think it’s the most iconic costume from the masquerade as it speaks volumes for who her character is meant to be.

Having more public figure inspired costumes in feminist characters teaches an audience of history they wouldn’t otherwise have discovered themselves which is a powerful tool of communication that I hope to see more of.

[conniespiracytheory]

Film Fashion - ‘I Told Ya’ !

The Impact Challengers (2024) had on fashion might seem minimal to the general public but delving into it personally after being infatuated by the film since its release there are small details that are important.

The largest selling point in fashion curated by Challengers has to be Loewe’s ‘I Told Ya’ collection. The simplicity of the T-shirt is erased when you read between the lines and notice how the piece is worn by both Tashi Duncan, Zendaya’s character, and Patrick Zweig, Josh O’Connor’s character. Although Art Donaldson, Mike Faist’s character, is never pictured wearing this shirt I think that this displays the dynamic of all three characters if you look beyond the storyline. The t-shirts debut appearance is when Duncan and Donaldson are having a conversation in the Stanford cafeteria and Art is trying to manipulate Tashi out of her romantic relations with Zweig. The tee appears again after Duncan and Zweig have a heated argument which inserts Donaldson between the two as he is the only character not pictured wearing the tee. His manipulation has worked and the audience could be able to infer this just through the costuming.

The Tee makes a comeback in the present day narrative of the film when Duncan has an affair with Zweig and he is wearing the t-shirt seeing Tashi through her hotel window. I have multiple opinions towards this; The fact that Patrick kept the tee after 13-15 years displays his inability to let go of his past. Cutting ties with both Duncan and Donaldson wasn’t easy for him and the reappearance of the Tee shows this, wearing this piece to see Tashi after the last time she saw him in it being in an intimate but tense setting then displays Patrick’s current need for Tashi in both a reminiscent but lustful way. Donaldson might be manipulative but Zweig also knows how to play the game, and I’m not talking about tennis.

The Graphic tee was worn by Zendaya outside of her character and it really displays an uprise in these styles of t-shirts coming back into fashion. A moment I can compare the relevance of this tee to would be Naomi Campbell’s Met Gala look from 2000 where she was pictured wearing Dolce & Gabbana’s ‘Like a Virgin’ Graphic Vest and the way that this is styled I think it’s very similar to the current alternative scene.

To conclude my opinion on the impact of Loewe’s ‘I Told Ya’ piece I think there is so much visual storytelling through just this graphic tee being passed around not dissimilar to how Zweig and Duncan pass Donaldson around because he’s willing. His character is willing to do anything to feel needed and for him to wear the tee wouldn’t make sense for the submissive nature of his character. The piece although quite simple is also very impactful, you see the tee and think “Challengers” and even though I don’t agree with micro-trends I don’t think there is a possibility for a T-shirt to be dated, Patrick was wearing that tee for near fifteen years so what does it matter for me to be speaking about it two years past ‘Challengers’ release.

[conniespiracytheory]

Film Fashion - ‘I Told Ya’ !

The Impact Challengers (2024) had on fashion might seem minimal to the general public but delving into it personally after being infatuated by the film since its release there are small details that are important.

The largest selling point in fashion curated by Challengers has to be Loewe’s ‘I Told Ya’ collection. The simplicity of the T-shirt is erased when you read between the lines and notice how the piece is worn by both Tashi Duncan, Zendaya’s character, and Patrick Zweig, Josh O’Connor’s character. Although Art Donaldson, Mike Faist’s character, is never pictured wearing this shirt I think that this displays the dynamic of all three characters if you look beyond the storyline. The t-shirts debut appearance is when Duncan and Donaldson are having a conversation in the Stanford cafeteria and Art is trying to manipulate Tashi out of her romantic relations with Zweig. The tee appears again after Duncan and Zweig have a heated argument which inserts Donaldson between the two as he is the only character not pictured wearing the tee. His manipulation has worked and the audience could be able to infer this just through the costuming.

The Tee makes a comeback in the present day narrative of the film when Duncan has an affair with Zweig and he is wearing the t-shirt seeing Tashi through her hotel window. I have multiple opinions towards this; The fact that Patrick kept the tee after 13-15 years displays his inability to let go of his past. Cutting ties with both Duncan and Donaldson wasn’t easy for him and the reappearance of the Tee shows this, wearing this piece to see Tashi after the last time she saw him in it being in an intimate but tense setting then displays Patrick’s current need for Tashi in both a reminiscent but lustful way. Donaldson might be manipulative but Zweig also knows how to play the game, and I’m not talking about tennis.

The Graphic tee was worn by Zendaya outside of her character and it really displays an uprise in these styles of t-shirts coming back into fashion. A moment I can compare the relevance of this tee to would be Naomi Campbell’s Met Gala look from 2000 where she was pictured wearing Dolce & Gabbana’s ‘Like a Virgin’ Graphic Vest and the way that this is styled I think it’s very similar to the current alternative scene.

To conclude my opinion on the impact of Loewe’s ‘I Told Ya’ piece I think there is so much visual storytelling through just this graphic tee being passed around not dissimilar to how Zweig and Duncan pass Donaldson around because he’s willing. His character is willing to do anything to feel needed and for him to wear the tee wouldn’t make sense for the submissive nature of his character. The piece although quite simple is also very impactful, you see the tee and think “Challengers” and even though I don’t agree with micro-trends I don’t think there is a possibility for a T-shirt to be dated, Patrick was wearing that tee for near fifteen years so what does it matter for me to be speaking about it two years past ‘Challengers’ release.