The Beauty: Behind the Scenes of the Fashion-Infused Horror Series
"The Beauty" is a captivating series that starts with a shocking scene of a model exploding on the runway due to a dangerous drug. The show follows FBI agents investigating gruesome deaths linked to a deadly sexually transmitted virus. It combines horror, satire, and procedural elements with high fashion, graphic gore, and stunning production design.
Costume designer Sarah Evelyn was thrilled to work on a show set in the fashion world, but also felt the pressure to meet high expectations. She drew inspiration from various visual references provided by Ryan Murphy, the show's creator, to create a contemporary yet sci-fi look for the costumes. Evelyn collaborated closely with the art department to evolve the visual language of the series, playing with textures and colors against different backgrounds.
The casting of actors also influenced Evelyn's costume choices, allowing her to create iconic looks that matched the personas of the characters. Ashton Kutcher's role as a billionaire in the show inspired bold and flamboyant clothing choices, while Isabella Rossellini's character showcased insane and colorful outfits. The resources available on a Ryan Murphy show enabled Evelyn to bring these extravagant costumes to life through extensive research and development.
Creating costumes for more subtle characters, like the FBI agents, presented its own challenges, requiring attention to detail and custom tailoring. The show's diverse range of characters, from assassins to Condé Nast employees, demanded unique and meticulously crafted costumes, showcasing the depth of Evelyn's work on the series.
Evelyn praised Murphy's dedication to costumes across all his shows, emphasizing the importance of costumes in storytelling. The collaborative effort between Evelyn, Murphy, and costume producer Lou Eyrich ensured that the costumes in "The Beauty" were not only visually striking but also integral to the show's narrative. Despite the scale of the project, Evelyn found working on "The Beauty" to be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Don't miss the season finale of "The Beauty" on FX, airing on March 4, with all episodes available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+. Experience the visually stunning world of high fashion, horror, and intrigue brought to life by the talented team behind the show.