5 fashion facts for the 30th anniversary of Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet"
Baz Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet" was released in US cinemas on October 27, 1996. 30 years later, the film is still pop culture gold. Five facts about the iconic costumes that you probably didn't know yet.
Leonardo DiCaprio. Claire Danes. Baz Luhrmann. When it comes to the film adaptation of the world-famous Shakespeare tragedy, these big names come up quickly. No wonder, as director Luhrmann created a timeless piece of pop culture with his production, which turned the lead actors into stars of an entire generation overnight and still holds cult status today.
However, the name you should really take note of in this context is Kym Barrett. The Australian costume designer – also the creative mind behind the Matrix series, The Nice Guys, and Us, among others – is responsible for the film's legendary looks. And there is much more behind them than you previously realized.
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1. Montagues vs. Capulets
To visually distinguish the two deeply feuding families, Barrett created a distinct aesthetic and color palette for each.
The Capulet clan, Juliet's family, appears dark and formal. The silhouettes are form-fitting; blood red, black, and omnipresent religious icon motifs define the "Latino-Baroque-cowboy" look that Barrett tailored for Tybalt & Co. Tight jeans and dress pants, short (bulletproof) vests, and rugged boots meet opulent gun holsters and large belt buckles.
The complete opposite are the Montague men in open, flowing Hawaiian shirts (admirable in the title image). They wear cargo pants or shorts, sneakers – colorful hair. "They are just as religious as the Capulets, but a completely different gang. I wanted them to look like they were from Miami Beach, like they were surfing or at least coming straight from the beach," the costume designer explains in an interview with the lifestyle magazine Nylon.
2. Almost all costumes are handmade
Did you think the Montagues' Hawaiian shirts were off-the-rack? Hand-painted! The Capulet cowboys' vests bought? Hand-sewn. Every single costume for every speaking role came from the pen and hand of Barrett and her team. Even the extras in Verona Beach without dialogue wear original creations. Tailored from leftover material from Dolce & Gabbana. "Our budget was tiny and Dolce & Gabbana was very generous with their old stock," Barrett reveals further.
Ironically, the blue shirt with the Japanese cherry blossoms that Romeo receives from Father Laurence before his escape – and eventually wears at his death – comes from... a shop in Miami.
Source: Screenshot Romeo + Juliet
3. Secret messages
But there is that other iconic shirt of Romeo's. Exactly, the (also) blue one he wears after the masquerade ball in Verona Beach. This one is not only hand-painted but also provided with hints of his impending fate: a burning, pierced heart and white lilies – which he will later find on Juliet's seemingly dead body.
Source: Screenshot Romeo + Juliet
Juliet's legendary angel costume also holds a secret. Barrett reveals to Nylon: "Romeo says in the script 'O speak again, bright angel', so I dressed her as an angel. The dialogue from this scene is also embroidered in white on her dress, barely visible." Why? The costume designer found it nice to create small, personal highlights for the actors.
Source: Screenshot Romeo + Juliet
These highlights also include the cowboy boots of Tybalt, the "Prince of Cats," whose silver heels are each adorned with a cat.
4. Costume party à la Shakespeare
For the unforgettable masquerade ball – you know: she's an angel, he's a knight, with an aquarium between them – Kym Barrett dressed most of the extras as Shakespeare characters. Those who look at the guests more closely will discover, above all, characters from A Midsummer Night's Dream.
While Romeo approaches the aquarium, "William Shakespeare himself" can even be seen in the background. You can hardly miss him, he is standing... at the urinal.
Source: Screenshot Romeo + Juliet
5. Getting married in Prada
The wedding of Romeo and Juliet takes place on short notice and unpretentiously (because it is strictly secret). The groom's handsome but inconspicuous suit is actually an enviable custom-made piece by none other than Miuccia Prada.
Source: Screenshot Romeo + Juliet
Will you watch the film again with your new insider knowledge? And which is your favorite look? Write it in the comments.
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