How Oscar Winner Holly Waddington Made Bella Baxter in “Poor Things” a Whimsical “It” Girl
How Oscar winner Holly Waddington transformed Bella Baxter in “Poor Things” into a fearless, whimsical “It” girl.
We’ve all been captivated by the film “Poor Things,” and the sensational costumes worn by the enigmatic character Bella Baxter that have captured the hearts of audiences and fashion “it” girls everywhere. Designed by the talented costume designer Holly Waddington, whose exceptional work earned her the prestigious Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Bella’s outfits truly epitomize the essence of the character and the film’s overall aesthetic.
From the moment Bella Baxter graces the screen, her outfits immediately command attention. Waddington skillfully combines Victorian-inspired silhouettes with a modern twist, creating a unique and captivating look for the character. Bella’s wardrobe primarily consists of ethereal, flowing dresses in soft pastel hues, adorned with delicate lace and intricate embroidery. The costumes feature unexpected combinations, such as voluminous tops with bloomers and quilted lobster-like skirts, showcasing the film’s modern take on late 19th-century fashion. These enchanting ensembles perfectly reflect Bella’s innocent and whimsical nature, while also highlighting her mysterious allure.
Bella Baxter’s Style Evolution
When we first meet Bella Baxter, she is dressed in infant-like clothing, emphasizing her early stages of development and her childlike nature. As the film progresses, Bella begins to dress herself for the first time, resulting in a wild and haphazard wardrobe that reflects her newfound freedom and individuality. Waddington describes it as “like a five-year-old dressing herself from her mother’s wardrobe,” creating a sense of discordance that adds to the character’s charm.
“Bella’s character evolution is like visual poetry through daring and whimsical ensembles that bring out our own inner child.”
Working closely with lead actress Emma Stone, Waddington brought Bella Baxter’s character to life by expertly blending Victorian-inspired fashion with contemporary elements to create a visually striking contrast. The collaboration allowed for a subtle shift in late 19th-century fashion, incorporating nods to different fashion moments and periods like the oversized sleeves, often referred to as gigot or leg-of-mutton sleeves, which were popular for a brief moment in the 1890s. Together, they reimagined Victorian shapes and textures, infusing them with a sense of unruliness and organicity to ensure that Bella’s captivating aesthetic on-screen matched the depth of her character.
Here are Bella Baxter’s most captivating looks throughout the film.
The gold, yellow, and sky-blue colors are a combination that we associate with many fairy tale characters which represents her stepping into a new world with awe and wonder.
The sleeves were designed to look like a cage with bands of tubing in delicate silk to evoke a sense of entrapment. Yet, these sheer sleeves still reveal her body hinting at a sense of future freedom.
This orange-and-aubergine dress represents the clothes of Bella’s previous life – a structured corset with military-inspired accents representing her controlling relationship with her husband.
Bright yellow was often used throughout the film to contrast with her draping long black hair – a hairstyle that challenged the norms of the buttoned-up Victorian era.
The Fabric of the Story
Holly Waddington is one of the most artful costume designers in Hollywood. Her ability to create a whimsical blend of Victorian-inspired fashion with contemporary elements took us on an exciting journey of Bella’s self-discovery through ethereal costumes of flowing dresses in soft pastel hues, adorned with delicate lace, intricate embroidery, and oversized sleeves that ignite our inner child. Initially dressed in infant-like clothing, Bella’s evolving wardrobe represents her newfound freedom and individuality. The playful and unconventional elements in her outfits reflect her complex personality, while the fusion of contrasting styles symbolizes the duality of the character she so effortlessly portrays. Through her distinctive style, Bella’s character is visually and thematically enriched, emphasizing her innocence, mysterious allure, and the courage to forge her own path – something every “it” girl should embody.
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