Mamma mia, here we go again (literally). In case you haven’t heard, Mamma Mia is coming back to the big screen for a part-prequel, part-sequel – and we are so ready. The 70s-inspired fashion is music to our ears. Today, we’re chatting with the film’s talented costume designer, Michele Clapton. Below, she dishes on her creative process and how to make the film’s iconic throwback styles 2018-ready.
Rue La La: The movie jumps back and forth from the present day to the 70s. How did the costumes reflect that?
Michele Clapton: We researched the 70s and then tried to reflect the characters that we know from our present-day cast. It was fun to link the younger and older characters together through style. I started with their youthful style, and then worked through how it would have most likely transformed over the years.
RLL: Let’s talk inspiration. What sources did you turn to?
MC: Of course, we looked at lots of references from the 1970s. Photos of young ABBA were really informative. Jane Birkin and Stevie Nicks were really inspirational for young Donna. We also looked toward people’s actual holiday photos from the time as a resource. I wanted their performance clothes to look like a homemade version of original ABBA looks.
RLL: The film definitely has a distinct color story. How does color play into your costume designing?
MC: Color for me is always an important place to start. It’s a way of linking characters and giving the film a coherent style. The gorgeous Mediterranean blue color became the dominant shade for the Greece scenes. For the Paris scenes, we used a more sophisticated color palette of purple and tan. For Oxford, we used a lot of Laura Ashley prints, dark blues, and browns.
RLL: We have to ask – who was more fun to design for? Modern-day Donna or 70s Donna?
MC: I guess for me it was designing for young Donna, as she was, in a way, a new character. It was fun to create looks for her character, because everything had to make sense with the original Donna.
RLL: We’re so inspired by the retro vibes in the movie. What elements of 70s style do you think we can incorporate into our modern-day look?
MC: I love the 70s fabric prints – they’re so fun and inspiring. In terms of silhouettes, the wraparound flared skirts are a must for summer.
RLL: Flares are one of the biggest denim trends. How would you style them to give them a 2018 update?
MC: I love the cropped flare, worn about three inches above the ankle in distressed denim. Throw on some slides, and you’re good to go.
Written by Kelly Schneider, Staff Writer INSPIRED? SHOP NOW
