Second Union

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It Floats and Its Costume Looks Really Terrifying: Pennywise the Clown

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Image courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

Imagine this guy standing at the end of your street holding a red balloon, and pointing at you.

Thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we have a full view of the ageless evil entity who feeds on the fear of children and takes the form of a eerily sinister looking clown. Director Andy Muschietti (Mama) steered away from the modern rainbow-patterned clown we’re familiar with and reimagines Pennywise the Clown (Bill Skarsgård) with a more Elizabethan style.

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Image courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

Mixing together a look reminiscent of the Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian eras, Muschietti worked with Emmy-winning costume designer Janie Bryant (Mad MenDeadwood) to craft the snugly fit garment.

Bryant explained to EW how Pennywise’s costume design not only reveals the length of the creature’s existence but also further highlights its child-like representation:

“That pleating is actually Fortuny pleating, which gives it almost a crepe-like effect. It’s a different technique than what the Elizabethans would do. It’s more organic, it’s more sheer. It has a whimsical, floppy quality to it. It’s not a direct translation of a ruff or a whisk, which were two of the collars popular during the Elizabethan period.

“… There is almost a doll-like quality to the costume. The pants being short, the high waistline of the jacket, and the fit of the costume is a very important element. It gives the character a child-like quality.”

Has your coulrophobia kicked in yet? The new film version of Stephen King’s It is scheduled for release September 8, 2017.

 

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