Balancing Authenticity and Practicality: The Costume Design of 'Stranger Things' Season 5
Costume design for period pieces in movies and TV shows involves more than just historical accuracy. Designers must also consider the modern audience's tastes and the actors' comfort. Amy Parris faced this challenge while designing costumes for the later seasons of "Stranger Things," where she had to balance authenticity with practicality.
In the fifth season of "Stranger Things," characters had to wear the same costumes for multiple episodes due to the short timeline of the season. This posed a challenge for Parris, especially when it came to Eleven's outfit, played by Millie Bobby Brown. Despite initial pushback from Brown and others, Parris convinced them that the costume not only provided comfort but also paid homage to the 1985 film "The Goonies," a major inspiration for the show.
The fit of Eleven's costume in season 5 was a deliberate reference to Josh Brolin's character in "The Goonies," which some viewers immediately recognized. Parris had to navigate feedback from Brown and the showrunners to ensure that Eleven's costume remained grounded and distinct from Brown's real-life persona. By incorporating the "Goonies" reference, Parris maintained Eleven's iconic status in the series.
Despite initial reservations, the final design for Eleven's costume in season 5 was well-received, providing the character with a memorable and meaningful outfit. Parris's attention to detail and consideration for both aesthetics and practicality resulted in a costume that worked on multiple levels, enhancing the character's presence in the show.
In conclusion, costume design for "Stranger Things" goes beyond just creating visually appealing outfits. Amy Parris's thoughtful approach to balancing historical accuracy, modern sensibilities, and actor comfort resulted in iconic costumes that added depth to the characters and the overall storytelling of the series.