Current:Home > InvestThe Idol Costume Designer Natasha Newman-Thomas Details the Dark, Twisted Fantasy of the Fashion-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
The Idol Costume Designer Natasha Newman-Thomas Details the Dark, Twisted Fantasy of the Fashion
View Date:2024-12-24 08:03:30
Behind the glitz and glamour of The Idol costumes lies an ugly truth.
Sam Levinson's new HBO series shines a light on the sinister side of fame, as it centers on aspiring, troubled pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) and her complicated relationship with modern cult leader Tedros (Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye).
To play up the dark, twisted fantasy of the show, costume designer Natasha Newman-Thomas revealed that the fashion is intentionally meant to be a little scandalous.
"We wanted to bring a sense of darkness and sleaziness," she exclusively told E! News. "You don't always see pop stars or the underbelly of the music world portrayed in that way."
Take Jocelyn's risqué costumes, for example. Her clothes might show a lot of skin but the reality is that it's meant to distract from who she really is.
"There's an innate mystery to anyone you idolize," Natasha pointed out. "You see the façade and the persona, but there's a mystery to what goes on behind the scenes. It's meant for you to not see how hard it is."
Moreover, she explained that Jocelyn's attention-grabbing wardrobe is supposed to feel out-of-reach and impractical.
"If you're a pop star on that level," Natasha noted, "you have to wear clothes that are unattainable to keep that fantasy status. We wanted to get the point across that she's not a normal person."
And as fashion is a key element to Jocelyn's persona, fans will see her style evolve throughout the series, offering clues to her character's newfound sense of empowerment—even if it's only a front since she is being manipulated by those in her inner circle.
But, as the costume designer explained, Jocelyn doesn't exactly take charge of her own destiny in the beginning. It's not until she realizes her potential that she projects that confidence through her clothes.
"There's definitely a narrative arc to it that changes after she meets Tedros," Natasha hinted. "We wanted to portray her transformation through the clothes and sensibility toward harnessing power."
As for what inspired Jocelyn's costumes and this make-believe illusion of her real-life issues? Well, Natasha turned to fashion greats like the late Thierry Mugler and Jean Paul Gaultier.
"They all have traditional sensibilities but with their own twist," she said, "and they don't really follow trends, they set trends. We were going for something to create a new kind of timeless look, a new iconic superstar."
With all the buzz ahead of the new series, it's clear the costumes will be ones to watch.
The Idol premieres June 4 on HBO and will stream on Max.
Sign up for E! Insider! Unlock exclusive content, custom alerts & more!veryGood! (42)
Related
- Homes of Chiefs’ quarterback Mahomes and tight end Kelce were broken into last month
- Golden Globes 2024: Oprah Reveals The Special Gift She Loves To Receive the Most
- 2024 NFL draft order: Top 18 first-round selections secured after Week 18
- Some 350,000 people applied for asylum in Germany in 2023, up 51% in a year
- Man accused of killing American tourist in Budapest, putting her body in suitcase: Police
- A chaotic Golden Globes night had a bit of everything: The silly, the serious, and Taylor Swift, too
- Zillow's hottest housing markets for 2024: See which cities made the top 10
- Lawsuit limits and antisemitism are among topics Georgia lawmakers plan to take on in 2024
- Former Disney Star Skai Jackson Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Her Boyfriend
- Oscar Pistorius and the Valentine’s killing of Reeva Steenkamp. What happened that night?
Ranking
- Trump’s economic agenda for his second term is clouding the outlook for mortgage rates
- Golden Globes 2024: See All the Couples Enjoying an Award-Worthy Date Night
- Dua Lipa's Bone Dress Just Might Be the Most Polarizing Golden Globes Look
- Jennifer Lawrence and Lenny Kravitz’s Hunger Games Reunion Proves the Odds Are in Our Favor
- Celtics' Jaylen Brown calls Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo a 'child' over fake handshake
- Why Fans Think Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez Had Juicy Conversation at Golden Globes
- Air attack in northwestern Myanmar kills 17, including children, but military denies responsibility
- 2024 Golden Globes: Dua Lipa Weighs in on Her Future Acting Career After Barbie
Recommendation
-
Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn Coming Out of Retirement at 40
-
'Prison Confessions of Gypsy-Rose Blanchard': Bombshells from Lifetime's new docuseries
-
Margot Robbie Shares How Her Girlfriends Feel About Her Onscreen Kisses With Hollywood's Hottest Men
-
Love comes through as Packers beat Bears 17-9 to clinch a playoff berth
-
Fantasy football waiver wire: 10 players to add for NFL Week 11
-
Jennifer Lawrence Complaining About Her Awful Wedding Day Is So Relatable
-
Thousands forced from homes by quake face stress and exhaustion as Japan mourns at least 161 deaths
-
Judge denies Cher's conservatorship request over son Elijah Blue Allman. For now.