The trailer speaks for itself. The House With a Clock In Its Walls gives us a peek into a world of magic and mystery – and the costume design is no exception. We caught up with the film’s award-winning costume designer, Marlene Stewart, to find out how she brought this mystical story to life on the big screen. Are you as excited as we are? Beat the lines on September 21 and get your tickets online here.
Rue La La: The movie is based on the book written by John Bellairs. Are elements of the original story reflected in your costume design?
Marlene Stewart: I did not read the books, but did read a general overview of the material. Descriptions of the characters in the books gave me a nuanced understanding of who they were as people, and I was able to create what that character looked liked and what they wore. I think research is an important part of the design process. One has to know what existed in history – whether it’s a visual reference or something else – to know how to build a world.
Credit: Universal Pictures
RLL: Let’s talk inspiration. What other sources did you turn to for 1950s style?
MS: For inspiration I referenced many magicians who worked from the early 1900s up until the 1950s, including Houdini. I also looked into various secret societies, including the Masons, and their use of rituals and wardrobe. We are first introduced to Jonathan with him wearing a kimono and fez – which would have been pretty eccentric for 1950s America – but not for the Masons or other secret societies who dressed similarly for their ceremonies. As far as 1950s inspiration, I looked toward the heart of TV Land and all the iconic Leave It to Beaver visuals that still inhabit the American psyche.
RLL: The film definitely has a distinct color story. Can you tell us the significance of the deep purple color we see throughout the film?
MS: There is a definite color scheme throughout the movie, the most obvious being that Mrs. Z. only wears purple. Throughout history royalty wore purple, and in ancient Greece and Rome, it was a color that only the rich could afford due to its great expense. This purple color represents the special qualities that separate her from the norm. On the other hand, Jonathan wears a lot of burgundy, black, and metallics – inspired by those old magic posters. Lewis is in a mix of colors, but he wears one iconic red, white, and blue sweater with a knight on a horse on the front. What could be more symbolic and all-American than that?
RLL: We have to ask – who was your favorite character to design for?
MS: My favorite character has to be Mrs. Z. Her character gave me the wonderful opportunity to custom-make an exotic, chic, and fashionable wardrobe for a very talented actress – Cate Blanchett. And she’s a witch, after all!
Written by Kelly Schneider, Staff Writer
