David Bowie’s Influence on Del Toro’s Frankenstein: Insights from the Costume Designer

In the recent Netflix release, Frankenstein, costume designer Kate Hawley shares how the iconic David Bowie significantly influenced the aesthetic of some characters. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the film features Oscar Isaac playing the renowned scientist Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as The Creature, both embodying distinctive styles that echo the 1850s era.

In a detailed conversation with Variety, Hawley discusses her journey of joining the film and the process of crafting the character’s looks. She entered the project with a mix of “apprehension and enthusiasm,” noting that del Toro had a vision to create a setting “that was expansive and exaggerated beyond the ordinary.”

Hawley points out that for the character of Victor Frankenstein, portrayed by Isaac, the design inspirations were quite diverse: “We explored many ideas, including modern influences like David Bowie, and Oscar brought up Prince.”

The final design for Victor cleverly melds these various inspirations while maintaining a strong link to the era of Mary Shelley, the author of the original novel. Hawley emphasizes, “The final look certainly honors the time and world of Mary Shelley herself.”

Although the goal was to reflect Shelley’s era, del Toro was keen on incorporating modern elements. Hawley recalls del Toro’s specific direction, avoiding traditional “black top hats” in favor of a “modern sensibility aligned with the technological advancements and the context of the time during the war.”

The careful and innovative approach to the film’s costume and production design has clearly resonated well, as evidenced by the film’s reception. It has garnered an impressive 85% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, with an even higher audience score of 95%.

In his critique for ScreenRant, reviewer Jack Walters gives the film a score of seven out of ten. He commends the film for its “astounding technical achievements and the striking set designs,” typical of del Toro’s style seen in other works like Nightmare Alley and The Shape of Water. Walters particularly highlights the effective use of the Netflix budget which allowed for grandiose scenes that seem to leap out of Shelley’s narrative.

Although the film premiered on Netflix on November 8 and it’s too early to comment on its overall viewership success, the initial positive feedback suggests it might do well. The satisfactory ending of Frankenstein seems to have pleased viewers, potentially boosting its popularity through strong word-of-mouth. The pairing of Isaac and Elordi also adds a significant draw for the audience.

Looking ahead, it appears likely that the film will be a contender at the Oscars, particularly in categories like production and costume design. While it remains to be seen how Frankenstein will perform during the awards season, it is evident that the creative influence of icons like Bowie and Prince helped shape a unique visual experience.