Discussing Designs with Kelly Kwon: An Exclusive Interview on the Costumes of 'Quasi'
Vibe Check: Get ready to dive into Quasi, a hilarious historical journey packed with costumes that are as entertaining as the story itself! We caught up with costume designer Kelly Kwon to hear all about her creations for this Hulu gem.
Elizabeth: Hey, Kelly! Thanks for joining us. Quasi* is a riot! What was your process like for designing the costumes? How did you balance the real and fantastical aspects of the story?
Kelly:Quasi* is a blast! It's a modern, hilarious take on the classic Quasimodo tale. My research process was quick-and-dirty, as I had limited time. Fortunately, I'd read the script years ago, so I had a clear vision! It was intense, but also super fun!
We did some online digging to find inspiration, but there wasn’t enough detailed information available. So, being old-school like that, I visited libraries and galleries to gather details. I stumbled upon an early 14th-century French painter whose work offered a fantastic example of our inspiration. But, as it's a fantasy story, we amped things up a notch.
Elizabeth: Speaking of, the torture crew totally looked like they were straight out of a Mad Max movie! How did you come up with that brilliant look?
*Kelly: We started with a more traditional, darker, executioner-type vibe. But then, I thought, why not make it more fun while keeping it visually detailed and accessorized? So I decided to channel that medieval Mad Max feel, adding metal armor accents and accessories. I’m all about finding balance between the serious and the silly, and this design definitely nailed it.
Elizabeth: Quasi himself was quite the spectacle, especially with those clever hump prosthetics. What were the challenges in creating his wardrobe?
*Kelly: Well, the hump proved to be trickier than expected! Prosthetics were easy for me because I've worked with them before, but this one was quite a challenge. The original ones didn’t work with costumes as they made him look deformed when he wasn't wearing his costume. So, I came up with a genius solution – using beanbag filler! I disassembled two beanbags, fashioned them into a hump shape, and voila! A lightweight, flexible, and comfortable solution that perfectly replicated the hump.
Elizabeth: That's genius! Moving on to the king, he was just...well, he was a knight in shining armor, but with a bit of a douchey twist! What inspired your design for him?
Kelly:* The king’s character is not exactly the nicest guy, so I intentionally added hints of his dark side throughout his costumes. Initially, I went overboard, making him too flashy, but our leading man, Kevin (Kevin Heffernan**), warned me against giving too much away. So I toned it down, focusing on jewelry and accessorizing to keep the playful, yet menacing aesthetic.
Elizabeth: Queen Catherine was the epitome of elegance, a refreshing contrast to the king and everyone else in the court. What was it like designing for her?
Kelly:* Working with Adrianne Palicki**, our stunning queen, was a dream! We clicked instantly and became great friends throughout the process. Her character was simple and sophisticated behind closed doors, so I wanted her costumes to reflect that while remaining visually stunning.
Elizabeth: Lastly, was there a favorite part about working on Quasi?
Kelly: Everything about Quasi* was a blast! But the best part was collaborating with an amazing crew and my friends. Bringing my creativity to life and watching everyone work together to bring these characters to life was truly gratifying.
- Kelly Kwon's costume design for the movies-and-tv show Quasi beautifully combined historical elements with a fantastical twist, such as the torturers resembling characters from a Mad Max movie.
- In the 'entertainment' world of Quasi, costume designer Kelly Kwon found a unique balance between elegance and playfulness, especially when crafting Queen Catherine's costumes, which effortlessly showcased Adrianne Palicki's sophistication and beauty.
