2023 Author: Jessica James | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 03:31
This series has already become one of the most popular in the world. Even those who haven't watched it seem to be able to accurately retell the storyline of how in the fictional state of Gilead, most people have problems with childbirth due to environmental pollution. The only way out of the situation is to turn to surrogate mothers, which girls from the lower classes become, not of their own free will. The main character, June Osbor, played by Elisabeth Moss, is trying to restore justice and return to herself and the other maids to normal life.
The Handmaid's Tale has two nominations and five Emmy awards. A few days ago, the premiere of the last episode of the third season took place and, despite the criticism of some viewers (allegedly the plot began to resemble not a dystopia, but a thriller), we are waiting for the next - the fourth part. The date of its release is still kept secret, but it is absolutely certain: it will collect no less number of views than the previous ones. And, perhaps, the whole thing is not only in the script (recall, for the first time the novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood was filmed back in 1990!), But also in the work of the whole team. The costumes of the heroes deserve special attention, not only in texture, but also in color - specific for each class.
The BeautyHack editors, together with a psychologist, practicing coach and author of books Anna Baranova, unravel the secret signals of the series, why red was chosen for the maids, and blue and turquoise for the wives of the commanders. What do these shades mean and how do they affect the psyche of the viewer.
“The color scheme is an excellent director's tool that only strengthened the author's idea. This method perfectly shows the problems that exist in this society. Color definitely affects us. Everyone launches certain associations that respond to our mood and reactions,”says Anna Baranova.
The maids are red
“Red is a symbol of joy and fullness of life, but at the same time enmity, revenge and war,” says Anna Baranova. “It’s not surprising that this particular color was chosen for the maids, who, on the one hand, extended the clan, and, on the other, were dissatisfied with their position, tried to break out of the established system and claim their rights.”
Also, dressing the maids in red, the author of the novel and then the director distinguished them among the rather restrained tones of the clothes of other characters, that is, they declared them as the main heroines of the plot.
The show's costume designer, Ani Cratby, told Vanity Fair that when creating the images of the maids, she was inspired by release movements around the world from the 1900s to the present. Among all shades of red, she preferred scarlet because it is associated with blood and suits almost any skin tone.
Commanders' Wives - Turquoise
“Wives wear all shades of blue and turquoise. And this color is associated with fidelity, honesty, constancy, chastity (according to the plot, they are not touched by the “sin” of having children), continues our expert. - The higher the class of these heroines, the darker the tone of clothing they prefer. That is, all their positive qualities are enhanced, but at the same time there is more grief, blue goes into black."
In an interview with Vulture, the series' costume designer says that only in dresses for wives could she afford to show her imagination: use different tones and come up with original details - various folds and ribbons in the neckline. “There was only one rule to follow - to make the design of the outfit as strict and unassuming as possible,” notes Ani Cratby.
Martha (housekeeper) - light green
According to Anna Baranova, green symbolizes calmness and harmony. People who wear it inspire confidence and reliability. However, a light (almost gray shade) in clothes suggests that a person wants to remain inconspicuous, almost invisible to others. And we see all these qualities in the Marthas. Their goal is to serve and carry out responsibilities at home, they try not to take anyone's position, beware of disputes and conflicts.
At the same time, Ani Cratby notes that for the idea of the image for these heroines, she chose the style of housewives of the 60s.
Mentors - dark brown
“Brown is the color of stability, stability, order in everything,” says the psychologist. - And the darker it is, the more it is associated with severity. Mentors are hard to imagine, even in the no less conservative, but still calmer dark blue. The color of their clothes was perfect."
The costume designer, by the way, drew inspiration from the military uniform of the First World War when designing an outfit for her mentors.
Officers - black
“The officers wear black. This is the color of silence, secrecy, security. Another interesting symbol of this shade is infinity. And it can be deciphered as the fact that these heroes continue to be children. But, unlike the maids, she has power,”the expert said.
And Ani Cratby admitted that she tried to choose only the best fabrics for black suits of officers in order to give the color even more solidity.
The majority of people are gray
“Gray symbolizes calmness and, most importantly, innocence and compromise,” explains Anna Baranova. “And this is very suitable for the society that is shown in the series. It personifies stability even in critical and difficult conditions of life, but at the same time many characters are not ready to oppose the existing system."
It was important for the costume designer to collect several shades of gray in the images of people to show all possible facets of their feelings and emotions - from light to almost black.
