One thing we wanted to do through his looks was to break down his personality in multiple facets and show his vulnerability. The turtleneck added a bit of softness to that moment, and it worked for the atmosphere he was in. His costumes went through a natural progression and encapsulated his various moods and vibes.
The superhero genre has seemingly devoured the blockbuster film space. Advances in digital filmmaking have contributed, but the fundamental shift is filmmakers taking their subject matter seriously. Technology that has permeated the film industry manifests in costume design as well, but the theme has shifted from superheroes wearing their underpants on the outside in reference to circus strongmen, to fantastical garments that still convey a sense of realism.
Mussenden is a big believer in reading, not just looking at photographs. She also believes in using fellow costume designers as part of her team. “I never designed a Western before, so I had to start my research from scratch,” she reveals. “I began with the Civil War using Time-Life’s The Old West encyclopedia that I borrowed from my friend, costume designer Kimberly Adams. I hired costume designer Christine Cantella for three weeks to visit all the museums in Texas and take photos.” Additional research included combing through digital libraries.
From its conception by Frank L. Baum in 1900, the Oz universe has been a surreptitious commentary on American culture, politics, and social causes. The book was already a popular musical on Broadway by 1902, and Baum himself staged theatrical, radio, and film adaptations in subsequent decades. In April 2000, the Library of Congress declared The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to be “America’s greatest and best-loved homegrown fairy tale.” Now costume designer Paul Tazewell puts his own stamp on the ever evolving world of Oz.