The Fashion of 'The Shards
· fashion
The Shards’ Fashion: A Love Letter to 1980s Elegance
The latest Ryan Murphy series, The Shards, has been making waves not just for its dark and twisted plot but also for its meticulously crafted costumes. The early 1980s Los Angeles setting is a treasure trove of fashion inspiration, with designers Lou Eyrich and Joshua Marsh bringing to life the era’s most iconic silhouettes and details.
The show’s costume design pays homage to Giorgio Armani, whose work on American Gigolo in 1980 was a game-changer. As costume designer Lou Eyrich noted, “We all bow down to Armani.” This reverence for Armani’s quiet luxury and use of soft silks is evident throughout the series, particularly in Kaia Gerber’s character of Susan, whose wardrobe is a masterclass in effortless elegance inspired by Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein.
The Shards’ fashion reflects the era’s cultural landscape. The show’s use of music cues to inform costume design is a deliberate choice, drawing from Bret Easton Ellis’s novel, which is rich in details about clothes, cars, and music. Costume designer Joshua Marsh mentioned that “Bret wrote an incredible novel that is chock-a-block full of references.” This attention to detail makes The Shards’ fashion compelling – it’s not just about recreating the past but also capturing its spirit.
The show’s color palette is another noteworthy aspect of its fashion. American Gigolo’s specific and rich color scheme has influenced the series, with a range of soft pinks and blues alongside deeper berry tones that add depth to each scene. The color palette is almost a character in itself, contributing to the overall mood of the show.
The Shards’ costume design effectively differentiates between its characters, with Susan’s classic California style contrasting with Debbie’s more outrageous rocker glam look. The male characters are given distinct personalities through their clothing choices, making each one feel like a fully fleshed-out person with their own unique taste.
As The Shards continues to unfold, it will be fascinating to see how its fashion evolves. Will the show continue to pay homage to the era’s icons or take risks and push the boundaries of what we consider “fashionable”? One thing is certain: the show’s costume designers have set a high bar for themselves.
The Shards’ fashion is not just about recreating the past but also capturing its essence – a love letter to 1980s elegance, with all its excesses and extravagances. The show’s attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy are a breath of fresh air in an industry often plagued by trends and gimmicks.
Fashion, as seen on The Shards, is not just about clothes; it’s also about people, places, and experiences. The show’s costumes may be stunning, but they’re only half the story – it’s the characters behind them that truly bring this world to life.
Reader Views
- NBNina B. · stylist
While The Shards' costume design is undeniably a highlight of the show, I'm still waiting for someone to tackle the more nuanced and provocative aspects of 1980s fashion. Specifically, how do we reconcile the era's homages to luxury with its entrenched materialism? And what does it say about us now that we're so enamored with revisiting – even fetishizing – the excesses of Reagan-era America?
- THTheo H. · menswear writer
One aspect of The Shards' costume design that struck me as particularly noteworthy is its emphasis on textures and fabrics. While the show's nods to 80s icons like Armani are well-documented, I think what truly sets the series apart is its attention to the tactile qualities of clothing. From the plush cashmere of Susan's cardigans to the smooth leather of Debbie's jacket, the show's use of texture adds a depth and sensuality to its aesthetic that's all too often missing in period dramas.
- TCThe Closet Desk · editorial
The Shards' costume design is undeniably transporting viewers back to the halcyon days of 80s LA chic, but what's often overlooked in discussions about period accuracy is how nostalgia can also be a trap. In its enthusiasm for recreating a bygone era, The Shards sometimes veers into pastiche, relying too heavily on tropes and references rather than truly interrogating the cultural landscape it's portraying. To avoid this pitfall, costume designers might consider more nuanced explorations of class, privilege, and identity within their 80s framework – after all, fashion is always a site of social commentary as much as aesthetic one.