We look at this gothic-horror story chock full of elaborate late Victorian costumes. Director Guillermo del Toro and costume designer Kate Hawley combine powers for a dark and spooky visual treat (with a few tricks).
You can listen to us review Crimson Peak costumes online below or on iTunes.
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I love this movie and the costumes are beautiful. However . . . why is this movie set in 1901-1902? The costumes – namely the costumes for women – seemed to reflect the 1890s.
I noticed that, but at least with Lucille it makes sense; she and Thomas are trapped in the past, and apparently wearing their parents’ clothes since they can’t afford new wardrobes. Edith notes that Thomas’s suit is out of style as well.
I actually read the novelisation and the art books of the film – Lucille and Thomas’ clothes are more dated because they have less money, their clothes are inherited from when their family had money.
This movie is Amazing! And the reasons behind the crafting of each specific costume is brilliant, the full interview is on the bluray special features. :) Also, the designer mentions that the costumes for Thomas and Lucille were meant to be a few decades older, like they were wearing their parents clothes.
This film was stunning. I ended up seeing it in theaters twice, swooning over the costumes and all the gothic furnishings I wanted. It was definitely billed as a scary movie, but I remember reading an article where Guillermo del Toro said that it was actually supposed to be a gothic romance. He didn’t intend Crimson Peak to be horror. Once I learned that, the tone, visual tropes, and mild scare factor of the film made more sense.
Also, I would totally live in that house.
As Yvonne noted above, I think Guillermo del Toro said in an interview that the Sharpes are wearing their parents’ clothes because they’re so broke, which is… questionable.
Great listening to you guys as always!
SERIOUSLY questionable!
Crimson Peak’s costumes are awesome. I don’t like horror films, but made the exception in this case. I found a movie that kept my interest. It was more Gothic than horror. I loved it. I spent the time drooling over all the costumes especially Lucille’s Red gown and the Art Nouveau feel of the ingenue heroine. continued after listening to podcast
I’m not big on either horror or romance, so I skipped this movie, but you have convinced me to watch it!
Sadly, the dog did not make it. Lucille kills it, near the end. It’s mostly off screen, though….
How did we miss that??
It’s quick. Blink and you miss it.
I noticed that, but at least with Lucille it makes sense; she and Thomas are trapped in the past, and apparently wearing their parents’ clothes since they can’t afford new wardrobes. Edith notes that Thomas’s suit is out of style as well.
Poor Edith. She failed to realize that her own wardrobe and everyone else’s was also out of style.
Still, this movie is a big favorite of mine.
I too thought Mrs.McMichael’s dress looked like a Sargent painting. I did a quick search, and it looks very much like his portrait of Helen Vincent, Viscountess D’Abernon.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Vincent,_Viscountess_D%27Abernon#/media/File:Sargent_Portrait_of_Lady_Helen_Vincent_1904.jpg