Dressing for the Thrill: Crafting the Authentic Ambiance of 'The Iron Claw' through Costume Design, by Jennifer Starzyk
Interview Time: Unleashing the Magic Behind the Costumes of "The Iron Claw"
Hey there! Permit me to introduce the one and only Jennifer Starzyk, the mastermind who brought the stunningly freaking awesome costumes to life in the smashing hit movie, The Iron Claw. Buckle up for an insider scoop on the creative process of this visual spectacle!
Jennifer, my dear, thanks for joining us. I've been blown away by the fantastic costumes in The Iron Claw. I wasn't genuinely enthused about wrestling at first, but this movie smashed that notion to smithereens! Mind giving us a little peek into your background and connection with The Iron Claw?
"Absolutely sweet pea! I knew y'all nothing about wrestling at the start too, but reading the script for The Iron Claw, I was like, 'What the heck did I just read?' It was just so fascinating and different. I knew this project was for me. The Von Erich boys and their story were just a costume designer's dream!"
Now that we're all pumped, let's dive right into The Iron Claw costumes. What demanded your attention to create such striking and authentic costumes for the wrestling scenes?
"Well, honey, I knew we needed to capture the personality of each Von Erich brother with their costumes. We started by studying pictures of the actual wrestling matches and the Von Erichs themselves. We had to make sure each character had their unique style while representing the era's essence. And don't forget we're talking about 1980s Texas, so that added a whole other layer!"
To set the scene for 1980s Texas, you seemed to have drawn inspiration from various sources, including movies, music, and photography. Can you share more about your approach to recreating this world?
"Sure thing, babe! I dug deep into the pop culture of the 1980s, looking at movies like Footloose and considering what kind of fashion we might find if Crystal Gayle, Linda Ronstadt, and Smokey and the Bandit were suddenly dragged to a wrestling match. And of course, I checked out that era's documentaries and books like American West by Richard Avedon."
Speaking of wrestling, those colorful costumes are a far cry from the dark and gritty feel of the film. How did you balance the polarity when designing the wrestling attire?
"That's indeed the key, partner. Our wrestling costumes had to be fun and colorful, to create an entertaining vibe, but they also needed to be grounded in the story's emotional depth. I aimed to strike a proper balance between the movie's heartfelt and playful aspects."
You've mentioned the brothers' unique personalities influencing their costumes. How did you approach capturing each character's essence in their costumes?
"For each brother, I studied their physicality and the way they moved, along with their on-screen personas. For example, David's costume featured the iconic yellow rose of Texas symbol, and Kerry's costume was a compact, sexy little number that barely covered his bottom. I like to call it big ol' Texas charm!"
Collaboration seems to play a big role in your work on The Iron Claw. How did you and the cast work together to bring these characters to life?
"Working with the cast was simply delightful. Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White were total pleasure to collaborate with. They were seriously so pro about the whole process. I mean, after doing a project like '17 Again' with Zac, when he came in for his fitting, he was like, 'I don't think you remember me, but we did work together once.'"
Is it true that fans were responsible for making some of the original Von Erichs' costumes?
"OMG, that's the coolest story ever! That little nugget popped up while I was talking to Kevin on the LA premiere red carpet. He confessed that a lot of the original Von Erichs' costumes were made by fans! It's just insane that these beautiful costumes started as fan art!"
The Iron Claw costumes have already left a lasting impression, but I know I can't forget to mention one costume that's been turning heads – Ric Flair's over-the-top, Liberace-like costume! How did you approach designing that unforgettable outfit?
"Oh my gosh, the Ric Flair costume was a true fabulous experience! We had so much fun with glitter, sequins, and feathers galore! I researched Ric Flair's iconic robes and finally decided on one that I felt exuded the 'Nature Boy's' flamboyant and cool energy."
The wedding scene in The Iron Claw is nothing short of magical, flowing with a warm and heartwarming energy. How did you approach recreating that unforgettable day, and were there actual wedding photos available for inspiration?
"Oh hell yeah! The wedding scene is so precious and captures a brighter, happier side of the movie. I based the groom's tuxedos on Kerry Von Erich's vintage tuxedo collection and managed to source some truly fabulous vintage pieces from a Midwestern collector who's got a treasure trove of vintage threads. Lily's wedding dress was simply gorgeous – I wanted it to feel royal but also captured that sweet 1980s vibe."
I have to say, the attention to detail in The Iron Claw is just amazing. Your collaborative team had to be unrivaled. What makes a successful collaboration between departments?
"A successful collaboration relies on trust and dedicated individuals who are passionate about their work. I made it a point to surround myself with professionals who shared my vision and had the expertise to execute it. Collaborations thrive when each department brings their A-game and acknowledges they're all part of the same team striving for the same goal: a visually stunning and emotionally resonant final product."
In the midst of sharing her design process, Jennifer Starzyk mentioned a possible link between entertainment organically paired with the sports world during her research, as she was inspired by the flamboyant style of Jerry Lawler, the color commentator in the world of professional wrestling: "I was also digging into the entertainment world of that era, and Jerry Lawler's elaborate ring attire captivated me, so I incorporated a touch of that into some of the wrestling costumes."
Reflecting back on their collaboration, Jennifer Starzyk emphasized the importance of merging the elements of sports and entertainment within the costumes to create a harmonious and unforgettable viewing experience: "Our main goal was to blend the electrifying atmosphere of sports with the vibrant energy of entertainment, and I believe the costumes in The Iron Claw effortlessly showcase that connection."
