David Bowie’s Influence on Frankenstein Costumes Revealed

by

Costume designer Kate Hawley shared that David Bowie heavily influenced the visual style of several characters in the new Netflix film. The movie, directed by Guillermo del Toro, features Oscar Isaac as the main scientist and Jacob Elordi as the Creature, and their costumes reflect the film’s 1850s period setting.

In a recent interview with Variety, costume designer Hawley discussed how she became involved with the project and developed the characters’ appearances. She remembers feeling both nervous and thrilled when she started working on Frankenstein, and noted that del Toro specifically wanted to create a world that felt grander and more expansive than usual.

Regarding the design of Isaac’s Victor Frankenstein costume, Hawley explained they drew inspiration from several sources. They discussed modern icons like David Bowie, and Oscar also suggested Prince as a key influence.

When it came to figuring out Victor’s backstory, the creators didn’t rely on just one source. They blended a bunch of inspirations together, but always made sure to stay true to the spirit of Mary Shelley’s original novel. As showrunner Francis Hawley put it, they really wanted to capture the world and time period that she inhabited when she first wrote the story.

Despite wanting to capture the atmosphere of Shelley’s era, del Toro also wanted the film to feel current. The costume designer recalls him saying he didn’t want a movie filled with predictable period details like too many top hats. He wanted a modern feel, reflecting the technological advancements and spirit of the time during the war.

The careful attention to detail in the costume design, and throughout the film, has clearly resonated with viewers. Guillermo del Toro’s newest movie has received very positive reviews from both critics and audiences. It currently has an 85% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences love it even more, giving it a 95% score.

Jack Walters gave the film Frankenstein a 7/10 rating in his review for ScreenRant. He particularly liked the film’s visual design and the acting by Isaac and Elordi, but felt the story moved too slowly.

Following films like Nightmare Alley and The Shape of Water, Guillermo del Toro’s newest movie is a visually stunning achievement. The inventive camera angles and beautiful sets are particularly impressive—it’s clear Netflix provided a substantial budget that was well spent. The film’s grand scenes feel inspired by the world of Mary Shelley’s stories.

The movie just came out on Netflix on November 8th, so it’s too early to say if it will be a hit, but early reactions are promising. People seem to be enjoying the ending, which is inspired by Frankenstein, and that could lead to a lot of positive buzz. Guillermo del Toro is a popular director, and having stars like Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi together is definitely attracting attention.

Guillermo del Toro’s new film is expected to be an Oscar contender next year, particularly in technical categories such as production and costume design. While it’s still uncertain how well the movie Frankenstein will perform during awards season, it’s evident that the film’s look was significantly influenced by artists like David Bowie and Prince.

Read More

2025-11-09 20:38