Current:Home > InvestThe Idol Costume Designer Natasha Newman-Thomas Details the Dark, Twisted Fantasy of the Fashion -Wealth Navigators Hub
The Idol Costume Designer Natasha Newman-Thomas Details the Dark, Twisted Fantasy of the Fashion
View
Date:2025-04-16 04:03:36
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! (69)
Related
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- More Americans say college just isn't worth it, survey finds
- Support for legal abortion has risen since Supreme Court eliminated protections, AP-NORC poll finds
- SpaceX launches Turkey's first domestically-built communications satellite
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- NYU settles lawsuit filed by 3 Jewish students who complained of pervasive antisemitism
- Get 40% Off Charlotte Tilbury, 50% Off Aritzia, 60% Off Adidas, 50% Off Gap Linen Styles & More Deals
- Overall health of Chesapeake Bay gets C-plus grade in annual report by scientists
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- The White House faces many questions about Biden’s health and medical history. Here are some answers
Ranking
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Homes are selling below list price. That's bad for sellers, good for buyers
- 18-year-old electrocuted, dies, after jumping into Virginia lake: Reports
- NRA’s ex-CFO agreed to 10-year not-for-profit ban, still owes $2M for role in lavish spending scheme
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Joe Bonsall, celebrated tenor in the country and gospel group the Oak Ridge Boys, dies at 76
- Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen reveals why he's changing his name
- Bethenny Frankel Shares Message From Olivia Culpo Amid Ex Paul Bernon and Aurora Culpo Rumors
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
How to Score Your Favorite Tarte Cosmetics Concealer for Just $1 and Get Free Shipping
Chicago denounces gun violence after 109 shot, 19 fatally, during Fourth of July weekend
Brett Favre is asking an appeals court to reinstate his defamation lawsuit against Shannon Sharpe
Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
Stock market today: Japan’s Nikkei 225 index logs record close, as markets track rally on Wall St
The Daily Money: Good tidings for home buyers
Why Lena Dunham Feels Protective of Taylor Swift