Discussing Costumes in Poker Face: Insights from Trayce Gigi Field on Road Journeys, Retro Finds, and Musical Themes
Let's dive into the thrilling world of Poker Face, streaming now on Peacock. Rian Johnson's latest masterpiece stars the captivating Natasha Lyonne as Charlie, a character who's as mysterious as she is stylish. With ten unique films under one roof, the show showcases a splendid array of characters, jaw-dropping sets, and breathtaking costumes.
Trayce Gigi Field, the genius behind the costumes, shares her creative process and how she brought Charlie's effortlessly cool style to life. We'll talk about her wardrobe, which reflects her nomadic nature, and the characters that left quite an impression, including Chloe Sevigny's punk-rock Ruby Ruin and Cherry Jones's chilling Laura. Brace yourself for an unfiltered road trip adventure you'll never forget!
"Hey Trayce, I'm stoked to have you here! Poker Face is literally one of my favorite shows right now. I mean, come on, it's up there!" exclaims Spencer Williams, our fabulous host.
"Hi Spencer! I'm super excited to chat with you about Poker Face! It's fantastic!" responds Trayce Gigi Field with equal enthusiasm.
"So, I can't helping but notice Charlie, played by Natasha Lyonne, has this unique, on-the-move style. How did you approach designing costumes for a character who's constantly on the move, and how does her wardrobe reflect her dynamic lifestyle?" asks Spencer.
"Well, Charlie's got this vibe that's a mix of the desert, the seventies, and a bit of western flair. It's who she is and where she lives, all conveyed through her clothes," Trayce explains. "She's got that Big Lebowski sweater, her boots and all. She's totally effortless, yet still really chic!"
Spencer continues, "Considering Charlie's lifestyle, designing costumes for a character who travels from place to place must have been a dream come true."
"Trust me, this project was a dream across the board," replies Trayce. "With Charlie moving from location to location, I based everything on realism. She's got her T-shirts and old boots in her car, and as we see in the first episode, she's not the most put-together person! Along the way, she grabs a cap and sunglasses from a gas station. She's trying to be incognito while remaining authentic to herself."
"I love how sustainable and vintage clothing played a role in the costumes for Poker Face. Charlie has a soft spot for vintage tees, and there's even a Fleetwood Mac one that I'd kill for!" exclaims Spencer.
"In general, sustainability is really important to me, and I'm a big thrift shopper. There are a lot of vintage pieces in Charlie's wardrobe, like her belt and vest. It was essential to not focus too much on brand new items for an intelligent, authentic, and real character like Charlie," Trayce shares.
"Speaking of the characters, I have to mention Ruby Ruin, played by Chloe Sevigny. She was absolutely badass!" says Spencer.
"Chloe can wear anything, but we based Ruby's look on Joan Jett. We wanted her to have leather, cool belts, and things that made her feel like a true rocker," Trayce reveals. "Her high heels even hint at the murderer, and they're Alexander McQueen with spikes on them!"
"Once again, it's so subtle and perfect! I should also mention that I have a huge crush on Judith Light," Spencer adds.
"Who doesn't? When Judith Light and S. Epatha Merkerson showed up, they instantly clicked, and they set the perfect vibe for the whole episode," Trayce agrees.
"I loved them together in the episode 'Rest in Metal.' It was my favorite! Two murderous best friends, and we even get a flashback to the late 60s," Spencer says.
"Both Judith Light and S. Epatha Merkerson are fantastic, and their wardrobes were indicative of their past clothes. They kept the free, 60s/70s inspired hippie chicness. Charlie even wore her jumpsuit in this episode, and she had the old lady's cardigan, which I got from Amazon!" Trayce explains.
"Now, let's talk about the final episode, 'The Orpheus Syndrome.' It was wild, very wild!" Spencer says, with a hint of awe.
"Yes! Natasha wrote and directed this episode. It's pure genius from her intellectual mind," Trayce reveals. "There are two points in this episode I want to discuss, starting with the horse. We have to talk about the horse!"
"When this episode was first floating around while we were shooting, I heard that Phil Tippett was going to do all these creatures seen in the episode. He worked as a creature designer on Star Wars. So I thought, 'Cool. Clearly, I'm not going to do the horse if they have Phil Tippett coming on.' One day on set, Natasha said, 'Trayce, you know, you're making the horse, right?'" Trayce explains.
"I had built things like this in the past, so it wasn't like I didn't have any experience with it, but it needed to have all these elements: lightweight, sinister, and durable for the physical comedy aspects," says Trayce. "I came to Los Angeles and talked to one of my favorite builders, and I explained everything I needed. After it was made, I put it on and sent a video to Natasha. She loved it. I brought it back to New York for a fitting, and it was perfect. Natasha even popped her head out like we did in the episode!"
"This show is one wild ride! Cherry Jones's character, Laura, is absolutely sinister, and her costumes were on point," Spencer adds.
"Laura is so diabolical and sinister. I really wanted to convey that through her clothing. It had to be polished, chic, diabolical, and refined. I stuck with creams, tans, and grays - my go-to when I'm trying to do something a little chic," Trayce says. "The dress that she wears at the end is actually Carolina Herrera. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was the one. It just felt right."
"The finale dress has everyone buzzing! Let's talk about that," Spencer says, excitedly.
"The public loves this dress! So, I read the script. Charlie had to blend in with the bridesmaids at the bachelorette party, run, go into the water, and sparkle a little. It also needed to look expensive and feel like it came from Sterling Sr. It was the first dress I bought, tried, and I told Natasha this was the one! Doing our due diligence, we tried on 50 other dresses and came back to the very first one," Trayce explains. "I needed three or four of these for Natasha and her stunt double. I even shortened it a little bit so she could crawl and run with ease."
"Trayce Gigi Field's costume design in 'Poker Face' not only reflects the show's connection to movies-and-tv and entertainment, but also contributes significantly to the pop-culture discussions about the series. Her creative process and the resulting wardrobe for characters like Charlie, Ruby Ruin, and Laura are appreciated by both critics and fans."
"In an interview, Trayce discusses the significance of sustainability and vintage clothing in her design for Charlie's costumes, making a statement about her commitment to environmental issues within the entertainment industry and adding yet another layer to theshow's cultural impact."
