Crafting the Time-Traveling Attire for "Meet Cute": Insights from Costume Designer Michelle J. Li
**Hey there, let's dive into the behind-the-scenes of the Peacock Original film, Meet Cute, starring the lovely Kaley Cuoco and the charismatic Pete Davidson! I was thrilled when I heard about this film, but let's be real, I absolutely fell in love with the costumes. The costumes, masterfully designed by costume designer Michelle J. Li, truly stole the show.
Michelle, a Chinese American Costume Designer, marked her debut as an IATSE USA 829 Costume Designer in Meet Cute, following her previous work on Comedy Central's Awkwafina is Nora From Queens, Theater Camp, and Bea & Sofia. I was privileged to sit down and chat with Michelle about her work on Meet Cute.
Me: Hi Michelle, welcome to The Art of Costume! Congratulations on the premiere of Meet Cute. I loved it! Overall, how was your experience working on this film?
Michelle: Hey, thanks for having me! The making of this film was quite a journey. Meet Cute was my first job as an IATSE USA 829 Costume Designer, and it was significant since I was previously honing my skills on non-union independent films. However, the skills I acquired along the way proved incredibly beneficial for this project, which had limited resources and a short preparation period. Working on this film was also a reunion with some amazing colleagues I'd previously worked with on Acidman. Collaborating with those we trust makes a world of difference.
Me: Wow, it's always great to have a team you can trust! This film is unique in that it involves time travel to a single date night multiple times. Sheila and Gary's looks had to be instantly recognizable. Since these looks were so prominent, was there extra pressure in deciding on these looks?
Michelle: Oh, absolutely! Sheila's yellow gingham dress was the standout piece for the movie, and it was scary at first when we couldn't find the perfect dress in stores. We eventually decided to design and build the dress from scratch, just 72 hours before filming! I can laugh about it now, but that was a nerve-wracking decision. For Gary's costume, we went through several striped sweaters before landing on the perfect one.
Me: I have to admit, I adore Sheila's iconic yellow gingham dress! What was your concept behind this bold costume?
Michelle: As I considered Sheila's character and her journey through multiple date nights with Gary, I saw she was lost and afraid to embrace the uncertainty of tomorrow. I drew a parallel between her situation and Dorothy's in The Wizard of Oz, who, like Sheila, is seeking a way home. The yellow gingham dress is, in many ways, a tribute to Dorothy and her remarkable journey. As for Gary's costumes, I drew inspiration from real-life New Yorkers I observed while eating out.
Me: I love the research! What was your collaborative process like with Kaley Cuoco and Pete Davidson?
Michelle: Both Kaley and Pete were absolute dreams to work with. Kaley was incredibly engaged and was keen to collaborate on the costume design. We kept in close contact throughout the construction process, especially for Sheila's yellow gingham dress. Pete and I had fun experimenting with different looks for Gary, and it was a fantastic collaboration. It's crucial to me as a designer that actors believe in their character's costume, as clothing influences one's posture, perception, and speech.
Me: I can see that! You've worked with director Alex Lehmann before, specifically on Acidman starring Dianna Agron. How did your prior partnership influence your costume design process for Meet Cute?
Michelle: Working with Alex Lehmann is an absolute delight. He treats everyone on set as humans first, regardless of their job title. This approach creates a supportive, collaborative environment. He has an unwavering trust in my creative decisions, which is invaluable in our industry. One memorable example of this trust was when he allowed me to build 8 dresses for Kaley with just 72 hours before principal photography began.
So there you have it, folks! Meet Cute is now streaming on Peacock, and I highly recommend giving it a watch. Don't forget to appreciate the amazing costumes designed by Michelle J. Li!
The costumes masterfully designed by Michelle J. Li, such as Kaley Cuoco's iconic yellow gingham dress, were a significant aspect of the entertainment value in the movies-and-tv drama, Meet Cute. In discussing her experience working on this film, Michelle mentioned the extra pressure she felt in deciding on these prominent costumes due to their recognizability and impact on the story.
