As a costume designer with over two decades of experience under my belt, working with Blake Lively on Gossip Girl was like revisiting old times, but with a new twist. It felt like we were picking up where we left off, only to find that both of us had grown and evolved in amazing ways.
As a gamer putting on my favorite virtual reality headset, I can’t help but notice the buzz around Blake Lively’s character’s style in “It Ends With Us.” While I, as the costume designer, am thrilled to see such enthusiastic discussions about my work, it’s just another level of immersion for me.
During the spring of 2023, while filming took place in New Jersey and New York, enthusiastic fans managed to snap pictures and record videos of Lively portraying her character, Lily Bloom, on the street. These snaps swiftly circulated through social media platforms. However, some readers of Colleen Hoover’s book that served as the basis for the movie expressed dissatisfaction with Lively’s costumes, claiming they didn’t align with their mental images of how Lily should be dressed based on the book.
Daman appears unphased by the worries and instead expresses genuine excitement as he remarks, “There’s simply such a tremendous amount of excitement surrounding the style itself!”
Daman is convinced that when viewers truly understand the setting of the outfits and observe how Blake portrays Lily wearing them within the storyline, he believes their reaction will be one of delight and excitement.
The film titled “It Ends With Us“, helmed by Justin Baldoni (portraying the character Ryle), chronicles the journey of Lily as she moves past a troubled childhood and embraces a fresh start. However, once she enters into a romantic relationship with neurosurgeon Ryle, she begins to recognize traits in him that eerily echo her parents’ abusive dynamic.
In the text below, Daman – known for his work as a costume designer on the initial Gossip Girl series – discusses his reunion with Blake Lively over a decade later. He also shares how elements from the popular show influenced his design choices for certain characters in It Ends With Us, including both Lively’s and Allysa’s (Jenny Slater) characters.
What were the initial conversations when it came to planning the costumes and looks for the film?
Blake had a strong bond with me before, as we both starred on Gossip Girl for six years. Our early discussions revolved around Lily’s character and her unique style, aiming to make it truly exceptional and tailored to her personality. Additionally, we wanted to explore what Blake could bring to the role, given her iconic status in fashion. It was thrilling to collaborate and reconnect, working together to craft this complex, powerful character.
As a fashion designer with years of experience under my belt, I am constantly on the lookout for unique, stand-out pieces that truly reflect the individuality and strength of the women who wear them. In this particular project, I found myself drawn to vintage items, something I’ve always admired for their timeless elegance and ability to tell a story.
In what capacity did Hoover and Baldoni contribute to the design phase, and did discussions take place with the actors regarding their respective characters too?
Absolutely! We’re talking about some big projects here. Blake is an exceptional creative influence. Justin provided suggestions regarding the tone and style we aimed to achieve. I feel our combined creativity, within the confines of the film’s overall aesthetic, was something Colleen was eager for us to explore. Colleen was very supportive during my interactions with her, often visiting the wardrobe department or set. Her feedback was always positive, encouraging, and focused on allowing Blake and me to bring our unique perspective to Lily’s wardrobe. When I collaborated with Blake on Gossip Girl, we had a harmonious working relationship that helped shape Serena’s character. Blake has a passion for fashion, an exceptional eye for style, and a fantastic sense of taste. I hope we share that (laughs), and reuniting after over 10 years since I last worked with Blake in this capacity felt like no time had passed. However, we’ve both grown and evolved so much during that time.
Having had the pleasure of collaborating with both Lively and the cast of Gossip Girl during my time as a writer on that iconic series, I can attest to the unique dynamic each collaboration brought. Working with Blake Lively was an exhilarating experience, as she was always fully committed to her character, Serena van der Woodsen, and her performance truly brought the character to life. The energy on set was electric and the camaraderie among the cast was palpable.
It felt just like an astonishing surprise – we’d been working together for six years on “Gossip Girl.” I first met Blake when she was nineteen, and now, more than a decade later, I got to share that journey with her, and she experienced it with me as well. This unique bond is something special we both have.
In your previous statement, you mentioned that Hoover aged up the characters for the film version. Could you explain how this affected your costume design plans?
In the scenario where characters like it, Blake, and Justin are older rather than fresh out of college, I believe Lily’s character would exhibit a stronger sense of self and personal style. This is because, at this stage in life, there might be less experimentation and more self-assurance reflected in the way we dress her. This ties back to the theme of self-empowerment. The self-confidence that Blake projects onto Lily could be seen as a form of self-possession.
“Did I find it tricky to strike a balance between portraying contemporary Lily and her younger self, Isabela Ferrer, all the while connecting their appearances effectively?”
As a graphic designer who has worked extensively with color and tone throughout my career, I can appreciate the unique challenge that the production team of Gossip Girl faced when they chose to lean into the de-saturated color world for young Lily’s character. Having lived through the 2010s myself, I remember the resurgence of grunge style and the impact it had on popular culture.
During the movie shoot last year, images and clips taken by fans off-set were shared online, sparking much conversation about Blake Lively’s wardrobe. How did you respond to this?
It’s exhilarating to see such widespread enthusiasm for the looks themselves, whether they receive praise or criticism. Social media often encourages harsh reviews without any substantial basis. In my opinion, when viewers understand the context of the clothing and how it fits within the storyline, and witness Blake embodying Lily, I believe they will be delighted and enthusiastic. So far, the response from people I’ve shared it with has been extremely positive and full of anticipation.
During our production of the latest “Gossip Girl”, I experienced something new – the kids would exit their trailers, and within minutes, their outfits were meticulously detailed, with designer labels, pros and cons being discussed. This gave me a unique perspective on how social media and fashion excitement operate. It’s fascinating to see that people are so invested in my work, which is quite rewarding for me. I must confess, I enjoy pop culture, and being part of it is an extraordinary privilege. However, you can’t please everyone all the time. You just have to shrug off any negative feedback and remember that there will always be people who appreciate what you do and others who don’t.
Did you have a favorite costume in the movie that fans can be on the lookout for?
One of my favorite scenes is when we’re introduced to Alyssa, portrayed by Jenny Slate, as she steps into the dusty environment for the first time, just as Lily is cleaning out her flower store-cum-boutique. Jenny Slate makes a grand entrance in an exquisite Oscar de la Renta floor-length coat and an eye-catching orange Birkin bag, epitomizing elegance and wealth. However, this setting starkly contrasts with the character she portrays. Her arrival is striking yet fitting, as if she doesn’t belong but somehow does. The initial impression of Alyssa is special to me because beneath her polished exterior lies a genuine, kind, and empathetic person who brings humor to counteract the potential coldness or aloofness that such an outfit might suggest.
In a nod to Blair Waldorf, it’s clear that Alyssa would have grown up watching Gossip Girl. Indeed, she would embody the character of Blair, so I thought including a few headband moments for the fans would be fun, like a hidden Easter egg.
When viewers observe the costumes in relation to the movie, what do you anticipate they’ll appreciate, and is it your aim that their views might shift?
These characters are all powerfully defined. It’s crucial to understand that Lily embodies independence, ingenuity, and strength. Her self-awareness is profoundly strong. I find immense joy in using fashion as a costume designer to bring forth her character. My role is essentially to provide the actors and directors with essential tools to breathe life into their roles and fully embody their characters.
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It Ends With Us is currently playing in theaters.
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2024-08-08 19:55