‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ costumes fit for the living and dead

Demise is in every single place in Tim Burton’s long-awaited “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.” Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) doesn’t want an invite to put on all black, however a funeral brings her again to the unique Ghost Home, now with a sullen teen of her personal, Astrid (Jenna Ortega). Not that Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) is the grim reaper wearing minimalist robes. As a substitute, the impish demon nonetheless sports activities a black-and-white swimsuit, hoping to trigger mischief on the earth of the residing and reconnect along with his decades-long crush, Lydia.

“I had to determine how the primary characters appeared first, tips on how to make it really feel good because the ‘Beetlejuice’ that everybody is aware of and loves, and nonetheless make it a brand new world of ‘Beetlejuice’ 30-some years later,” says costume designer Colleen Atwood.

A collaborator of Burton’s since “Edward Scissorhands,” four-time Oscar winner Atwood took the self-esteem of the signature stripes from the unique 1988 film (designed by Aggie Guerard Rodgers) and factored within the passing of time when establishing the custom-made Italian silk satin swimsuit. “He’s been sporting it for 35 years, so it’s a bit extra aged in a moldy, mildewy means. We did somewhat faux tummy to make him look somewhat bit middle-aged,” Atwood says. “Michael did lots with the way in which he moved and walked; that modified up Beetlejuice too.”

One other query Atwood needed to reply was, “Did he ever change [his clothes]?” Brief reply: sure. The marriage burgundy rent-a-tux (full with a ruffled shirt) references the unique movie. Beetlejuice dabbles in different goofy options resembling a matador outfit and an afterlife customs-officer uniform.

One other occasion is when Beetlejuice performs with the material of actuality after Lydia’s smarmy boyfriend, Rory (Justin Theroux), says “Beetlejuice” 3 times. Carrying a brown knit cardigan, Beetlejuice takes on the guise of a {couples} therapist. Lydia’s abdomen swells as a part of Beetlejuice’s mischievous manipulation, and her black-and-gray checkered costume has to accommodate this speedy development earlier than a child Beetlejuice bursts out. “It was thrilling for all of us, together with Tim, to revisit that means of capturing, of creating issues work. That low-tech and in-camera model of doing stuff,” Atwood says.

Beetlejuice takes on the guise of a {couples} therapist.

(Parisa Taghizadeh/Warner Bros. Photos)

For this scene, Atwood used an genuine handwoven Japanese material from a private assortment that she maintains on either side of the Atlantic (“I’ve stashes of stuff as a result of I hate to throw it away”). “I like the dimensions of the examine. I assumed it harked again to the unique pinafore she wore within the first ‘Beetlejuice,’” says Atwood. With solely a restricted quantity (Atwood acquired the fabric 15 years earlier), they used each inch to make multiples to accommodate the back-to-basics sensible results: “By the top, we have been stitching the reduce edges of the material collectively to get sufficient to make a complete fifth pinafore for her.”

Astrid’s sunflower frock.

(Courtesy of Warner Bros. Image/Courtesy of Warner Bros. Image)

Astrid’s bespoke sunflower frock got here from Atwood’s treasure trove of supplies, and there was no room for error. “I had simply sufficient [fabric] for one costume,” says Atwood. Whereas Lydia favors “garments enveloping her” as armor in opposition to the world, rebellious daughter Astrid “leaned into the ’90s grunge vibe.” Astrid pairs the girlish floral costume with a denim jacket and plaid shirt tied round her waist when hanging out with cute neighborhood boy Jeremy (Arthur Conti). “I like when a few of my materials that I hoard come to play, and ‘Beetlejuice’ was good for 2 of them,” she says.

Costume designer Colleen Atwood determined Beetlejuice’s afterlife crew “ought to seem like Century 21 Actual Property guys from the ’70s.” She used furnishings material for his or her fits.

(Nicole Rivelli/Warner Bros. Photos)

Not each sartorial answer got here from Atwood’s archive or an precise retailer. Typically, you must flip to an upholstery provider. Take Beetlejuice’s Afterlife Name Middle workers, often known as the Shrinkers. When studying the script, Atwood had a light-bulb second in regards to the general aesthetic: “I believe his crew ought to seem like Century 21 Actual Property guys from the ’70s.” Sourcing sufficient gold-colored materials with ample construction for the blazer was difficult, however Atwood turned to sofa textiles for an answer. “There have been tons [available]. It was $3 a yard, tremendous low-cost,” she provides.

A sketch of vengeful bride Monica Bellucci dressed to kill.

(Courtesy of Warner Bros. Image/Courtesy of Warner Bros. Image)

On the opposite finish of the undead type spectrum is the vengeful bride, Delores (Monica Bellucci), dressed to kill in black. Atwood used myriad supplies (together with crin, sometimes used for hats; crepeline, a silk material backing; and patent leather-based) so “it will mild in numerous methods when she moved.” Lydia additionally eschews white for her (reluctant) stroll down the aisle in a tightly pleated purple silk tulle and French lace Victoriana goth-influenced silhouette. “I wished it to have that feeling of glowing somewhat bit. I like tulle as a result of mild can cross by way of if it’s lit,” says Atwood.

One other eye-catching turn-of-the-century-inspired frock is Astrid’s tackle Marie Curie for Halloween. To make sure it stood out throughout evening shoots, Atwood turned to a nylon and aluminum materials she had beforehand used. “It’s lovely material. It has no weight, but it surely nearly has a glow at evening,” she says. “I assumed, for these in on the Marie Curie joke, that it was radioactive. It had that vibe with out having LEDs operating by way of it.”

Whether or not possessing the facility to shine furnishings or a cloth saved for greater than a decade, Atwood discovered infinite potentialities within the supplies used to create a closet match for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’s” residing and useless. “You’ll be able to create material. You don’t have to simply accept simply what’s on a bolt,” says Atwood. “You can also make it your personal, which is a crucial a part of costume design.”