Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter Discusses Fashion and Film on The Art of Costume Podcast with Sinful Interviews
In the captivating world of Ryan Coogler's latest film, "Sinners," costume designer Ruth E. Carter has crafted a visually stunning and historically informed wardrobe that brings authenticity, character duality, and spiritual power to the screen.
Carter, a two-time Academy Award winner, drew upon her extensive research and wardrobe created for the scrapped Marvel film "Blade," which featured 1920s period clothing that perfectly complemented "Sinners"' era and tone. This meticulous preparation allowed her to create costumes that not only reflect the film's historical context but also the complex inner struggles of its characters.
For Michael B. Jordan's dual characters, Smoke and Stack, Carter designed costumes that visually embody their contrasting identities and inner conflicts. Subtle distinctions in texture, colour, and period-appropriate styles were likely used to reflect the tension between their duality. While specific garment details are not fully disclosed, Carter's deep dive into 1920s aesthetics enabled her to imbue Jordan's characters with authentic yet nuanced looks that highlight their separate yet intertwined personas.
Hailee Steinfeld's character, too, is associated with a striking juke joint look. Carter embraced the vintage menswear style resonant with the time, tailoring it to highlight Steinfeld's character's unique attitude and presence within the juke joint scene. This look underscores a blending of dress codes from the era with a twist to fit the character’s personality, which Carter captured by carefully selecting pieces from her vast period wardrobe.
Annie's spiritual power is conveyed through her costume in a way that links to her character’s inner strength and perhaps supernatural aspects. Carter’s holistic design process examined both the literal history and imagined backstory of characters, which helped manifest Annie’s spiritual aura in visual form through clothing.
The time-bending moment during Sammie's song is underscored by costume design that supports the era-bending narrative. Carter’s use of authentic 1920s period pieces—originally crafted for "Blade"—helped to evoke the right period atmosphere while allowing for a fluidity that matches the scene’s time distortion. The costumes thus act as visual anchors grounding the supernatural lyrical moment.
"Sinners" presents a richly textured vision of Mississippi, and Carter's designs contribute significantly to this atmosphere. Music, movement, blood, and sweat were influential factors in the costume designs, ensuring that every outfit not only looks visually stunning but also feels authentic to the story and setting.
A podcast discussing Carter's work on "Sinners" is available on multiple social media platforms and via email, offering fans a deeper insight into the thought process behind her designs.
With "Sinners," Carter and Coogler have created a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that seamlessly blends elements of history, mysticism, and vampires. Carter's designs combine real historical inspiration with character-driven details that articulate the film’s complex narrative layers, making "Sinners" a must-watch for fans of both fashion and film.
The meticulous costume designs of Ruth E. Carter, as seen in the movie "Sinners," are not limited to movies-and-tv but also extend to the realm of entertainment, offering a rich visual experience that blends history, mysticism, and costume design. Carter's work, guided by her extensive research and period wardrobe, has resulted in costumes that not only reflect the era and tone of "Sinners" but also the inner struggles of its characters, making her designs a fascinating study for costume design enthusiasts within the movies-and-tv and entertainment industries.
