Costuming is a powerful tool in creating believable characters. It’s one of the most important elements in making us truly believe that the people we see on screen are more than just two-dimensional figures. Costume designers meticulously craft their characters’ wardrobes, using silhouettes, fabric and colors to reflect their personality, social status and emotional vibe. That meticulous attention to detail helps us connect with the characters on a deeper level as we immerse ourselves in their stories.
Top: J. Barron, K. Coleman.Bottom: A. Perrineau, C. Addai-Robinson, A. Thomas. Images: Ben Cope, Prime Video, Netflix, Joe Maher/Getty Images, Robin L Marshall/Getty Images.
Actors understand their characters’ wardrobes are portals to their authenticity. As EBONY discovered from these talented actresses, their characters’ styles were pivotal in inhabiting these roles. From cowgirl chic to WAGS of the accused, they share how fashion helped them become their characters…and these talented stars reveal a few style secrets of their own.
Kaya Coleman as Jolie Dumont, Beyond Black Beauty (Premiering October 15 on Prime Video)
Gina James (l) and Kaya Coleman (r) in Beyond Black Beauty. Image: Lindsay Sarazin/Amazon Freevee.
“Jolie was born and raised in Belgium and comes from a wealthy background. She’s giving Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl. She has this little clutch that we see in the first episode, and whenever it was in my hands, l immediately felt like I was a little princess. But she is also an athlete and works with horses. When she gets to Baltimore, we see that she dresses more for the ranch and cowboy lifestyle. One of my favorite outfits is her rodeo outfit, where, in Jolie fashion, her hat and cowboy boots are pink with a capital P.
My fashion sense has always been about comfort and expression, regardless of the season I’m in. I thrift a lot of my clothes, but I love a good monochromatic fit and am learning about the art of accessorizing. Marie Kondo also plays a big role in my closet because I like to keep pieces that bring me joy; otherwise, I donate them. It’s not a fall item per se, but there is this dress from Annie’s X Clio Peppiatt capsule collection called the Midnight Dress. The hand-embellished reclaimed glass beads are beautiful. It’s an ode to fairytales and the beauty of the night sky, and I happen to love fairies and the moon.”
Aresma Thomas, She Taught Love (Hulu)
Arsema Thomas (l) and Darrell Britt-Gibson (r) in She Taught Love. Image: Hulu.
“Mali is the boss girl, so you originally see her in these highly structured suits and these colors that are specifically hers, colors chosen and curated by our writer and director and Fern Legadoe, our costume designer. She has these intense colors and deep color palettes that match her intense nature as well, but as she starts to let Frank in and her walls start to come down, you see the tones of her colors start to soften; they become more pale and start to even mix and blend, moving into a human and organic style that allows her to move freely as she fully engages with her freedom and will to live. Knowing about the level of intention and the fact that fabric choices are based on her character created a seamless throughline for me as an actor to recognize what I am feeling in a tactile way. As a visual individual, seeing these colors and silhouettes painted the portrait of Mali for me.
For this fall, I am looking at deep reds. There is something very romantic about those deeper colors, and it is nostalgic because it reminds me immediately of Mali’s intensity. I also really have been falling in love with intense layering. I love the idea of a long skirt over a pair of jeans or black slacks. I have always been a fan of men’s wear and am ready to bring in the tailored aspects of their fashion. A good sports coat with a pleated A-line skirt and a She Taught Love baseball cap might be my uniform for Fall 2024. And my dream piece for this fall is an “I Vote” sticker.”
Jaylen Barron as Shayanna Jenkins, American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez (FX)
Jaylen Barron in American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez. Image: Eric Liebowitz/FX.
“Shayanna is a real person, so I did my best to portray her the way I felt she carried herself in interviews: with grace, self-respect and wits. Every outfit reminded me of the music and the energy that you had to have for that time! It put me exactly where I needed to be, not only mentally but physically. When I had her high school clothes on, it allowed me to change my whole demeanor to be a teenager again. When I put on my court outfits, I knew it was grown-woman time with the chunky jewelry. The costume department was wonderful, especially Melissa Vargas, whose resume is truly amazing. They captured the very essence of the time: the research and attention to detail with every scene was crazy work! I didn’t realize how much stuff from that time was still out there, and if there was a piece that needed to be made, Melissa made sure it got done.
My go-to trends for the fall are definitely a lot of accent boots—gator prints, zebra and latex—especially in burgundy, black and dark brown! My whole vibe is a nineties aesthetic. I love how timeless some pieces are, especially the gowns. You can always catch me on the carpet with some type of ‘90s Halle Berry inspiration, from makeup to hair and all the way down to my pose. Fall is giving burgundy and pixie cuts! A dream piece for me would be Halle’s 2003 Elie Saab gown she wore to the Academy Awards; it was such a moment. The gown was simple and elegant and highlighted all of her natural beauty so effortlessly.”
Cynthia Addai-Robinson as Queen-Regent Miriel, Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (Prime Video)
“I play Queen Regent Miriel, the rightful leader to the Island Kingdom of Numenor, whose leadership is threatened in season 2 of Rings of Power. Numenor is essentially Tolkien’s version of the legend of Atlantis. You definitely cannot have fantasy without the elaborate, detailed costumes also telling the story as well. And I love that fashion can also have an element of fantasy, of something dreamy and otherworldly. This season, Luca Mosca, our wonderful and hardworking costume designer and his team created couture and I had fittings and discussions months in advance, as everything was custom-made for me. The arc for Miriel this season has highs and lows and the costume reflected those moments, from her coronation to her trial by sea. And wearing a corset underneath it all definitely changes the way you carry yourself as a character.
Even though I don’t always need it in Los Angeles, I love getting out all my coats. I have an embarrassing amount, but it really completes a full look. I love all the different textures, from slick patent leather, to cashmere, to boucle. And I like my coats extra long and tailored. I also love classics, like a Max Mara camel coat.”
Aurora Perrineau as Eurydice, Kaos (Netflix)
Billie Piper (l) and Aurora Perrineau (r) in Kaos. Image: Netflix.
“My character dressed in really bright colors, which contrasted how she’s feeling. The clothes were mainly baggy and consumed her physically; they hid her. It was helpful to be in clothes that didn’t particularly make me feel looked at as when we first met Riddy. She’s someone who wants to go unnoticed because she doesn’t feel seen for who she is and is playing the part of being invisible. What I also love is that I got to be two people’s love interests, and I didn’t have to sell sex. No sexy clothes, no frills and no glamorous makeup. The men in her life loved her for her, which felt so much deeper.
As for my personal style: Cowgirl. Always cowgirl. I’ve also been getting into bags lately. This is very new for me. I’m learning brands; I’m loving Shrimps bags and Cult Gaia. I feel like those two brands have a lot of fun. I like clothes that make me still feel like myself but elevated: YSL, Loewe and Thom Browne. I try not to follow trends. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing. I always dress to my body and what I think flatters me.”
