The guardian | 3 hours ago | Lifestyle
Emerald Fennell's latest cinematic interpretation of Emily Brontë's 1847 masterpiece, Wuthering Heights, has stirred lively debate over its unconventional costume designs. Viewers have been discussing the anachronistic attire since the initial set photographs were made public before the film premiered. The outfits in the movie are a bold fusion of different time periods and styles, reminiscent of everything from Oktoberfest corseting to 1950s ballgowns, futuristic liquid organza, and even Barbie-style clothing.
The strikingly atypical wardrobe choices have drawn fiery comments from observers, including renowned fashion watchdog Diet Prada. The organization took to Instagram to voice its critique, noting the eccentric and anachronistic blend of styles. They highlighted the incongruity of combining attire reminiscent of German folk festivals with styles from the mid-twentieth century and ultra-modern liquid organza, throwing in a splash of Barbie doll aesthetics for good measure.
However, Fennell's Wuthering Heights is not the first period film to make waves with anachronistic costumes. There is a long-standing tradition within the entertainment industry of prioritizing spectacle and drama over historical accuracy. It's an aesthetic choice designed to engage contemporary audiences, offering a fresh, albeit non-traditional, interpretation of classic literature. The filmed version of a historical text often becomes a meta-commentary on the time in which it is made, as much as on the era it depicts.
While some viewers and critics may argue about the importance of historical accuracy in costume design, the unexpected costumes choices in Wuthering Heights expand our notions of how period pieces can look. With these novel style decisions, cinema continues to redefine the norms of visual storytelling. It even sparks larger conversations about artistic interpretation and offers new ways of engaging with the characters and narratives of classical literature. This trend continues to push the boundaries of cinematic conventions and encourages viewers to question their preconceptions about storytelling.