Bespoke TREND custom tailors est. 1972 (via Hannibal Part III: Blumenkrantz)
Fans of Hannibal may find this suit familiar from the second season of Hannibal, but super fans –– the kind itching for something new –– might recall this fabric from a behind-the-scenes shot posted to Twitter by producer Bryan Fuller. In the tweet, Fuller presented a number of options for upcoming suits for Dr. Lecter, including this very bold, very bright red check.
Checks can be a difficult fabric to work with for a number of reasons. First, it is distracting to the eye when the checks do not line up accurately, particularly so when the print is as bold as this one, so great care must be taken to cut the suit so that the finished jacket will have matched patterns. Second, the check can be difficult to arrange so that it flatters the patron’s body type and does not create any visually jarring lines. Additionally, because the jacket and vest are so bold, it is important that other details are more subtle: for that reason, we selected plain black buttons and matched the checks on the pockets so they would blend in almost seamlessly.
And of all of Hannibal’s suits, this is perhaps the one suited best to the screen and less so the real world. Few are flamboyant enough to wear a print like this one –– actor and former dancer Mads Mikkelsen certainly has an easier time of it, with his Danish good looks, broad shoulders and immaculate posture, but he is also aided by studio lighting and art direction that mutes the pattern. Still, that is one more thing unique about this bespoke piece –– you are unlikely to see it anywhere but on-screen!