Insights on the Gotham Knights' Costumes: A Discussion with Jennifer May Nickel, the Mastermind behind the Bar Sinister Wardrobe
Updated Interview with Costume Designer Jennifer May Nickel
Hey, it's Spencer Williams here! I've got the lovely Jennifer May Nickel on the line today - costume designer, haute couture fashion designer in Gotham City, and the creative genius behind the fabulous costumes for the CW series, Gotham Knights! Let's get right into it, Jennifer!
Spencer Williams: Hi Jennifer! Thanks for joining me. First things first, I've got to ask, why costume design? Tell us a little bit about your journey to this point.
Jennifer May Nickel: Ever since I was little, I've always been drawing clothes. I fell in love with theater, film, and television, but I didn't quite know that costume design was a career I could have. In undergrad, my professors saw my drawings on the side of my notebook and suggested I try it out. I threw myself into it, and everything clicked. It's been everything I've ever wanted!
Spencer Williams: That's fantastic, Jennifer! I'm a huge fan of Gotham City and Batman, so I'm thrilled to discuss the exciting world of Gotham Knights! How does it feel to design costumes that carry the legacy of Batman-related properties?
Jennifer May Nickel: It's incredible! Even though it's been over a year now since I landed the job, I still get goosebumps when I think about designing Robin's costume. It's dream come true stuff!
Spencer Williams: Whoa, you got to design for Robin? That's huge! You've always wanted to do that, right?
Jennifer May Nickel: Absolutely! It's always been my dream to design for characters like Robin and Two-Face. And now, I've done it!
Spencer Williams: That's so cool! Gotham City has a rich, diverse history of design, with everything from art deco to Blade Runner influences. How did you prepare to develop the look for Gotham Knights?
Jennifer May Nickel: We were pretty much all on the same page from the start, thankfully. From the lookbooks from the production designers and the DP, we could see how everything lined up with what I'd been thinking and what the showrunners had in mind. We have a unique take on it that still nods to the classic Batman world.
Spencer Williams: I love that! Let's dive into some of our favorite characters. First up, Turner Hayes, the adopted son of Bruce Wayne. There's definitely a little classic Bruce Wayne in his costume, but you added a punk edge to it. What was your concept behind this character?
Jennifer May Nickel: Turner has a sense of privilege now, but since Batman is dead, he lost access to the wealth and power. He's in a place where he's reconnecting with his past. He doesn't change his clothes much; he's got his staple pieces, especially the jackets. We went for a timeless feel, with vintage elements throughout. There's a bit of a 40s, 50s style to it.
Spencer Williams: So cool! Harper, the mechanic and engineer, is next. I admire her because she fights for the underdog. She has an edgy style that feels contemporary. What's behind the design for Harper?
Jennifer May Nickel: Harper is a character from the comics, and I appreciate her arc of fighting for and protecting Cullen. She has a cool, edgy style that's practical, because she knows she's going to get dirty. She's comfortable in her coveralls.
Spencer Williams: What about the inspirations for the costumes of the Court of Owls and Talon? I have to say, I was a bit nervous when I saw them!
Jennifer May Nickel: They're my favorite villains in the Gotham universe, and I was thrilled when I heard they'd be a focus for the series. We wanted to draw on vintage elements and create a timeless vibe, mixing creams, metallics, and soft browns with a bit of gray and tweed. The Court of Owls' suits are more formal, while The Talon is a bit more dangerous, with a mixture of six to seven different leathers and four different fabrics.
Spencer Williams: The Court of Owls' costumes were so creepy with their fancy suits and those masks! What was your approach to designing them with their masks and creepy overall vibe?
Jennifer May Nickel: I loved designing the masks - they're amazing! We wanted to give them a feel like the statues at The Haunted Mansion. The talon's mask is really cool. It's all about subtle moves - we made the nostrils smaller, the brow furrowed, and the cheekbones arched to make it more creepy.
Spencer Williams: Wow, those are such sinister masks! Cullen's costumes are more relatable, though, with graphic tees and baggy fits. What inspired this design?
Jennifer May Nickel: Cullen's costumes are based on the comic book character, but they're a bit more hesitant, slightly more inward. At the start, he's covering up more because he's a fugitive and wants to hide. As he grows into his role as a Gotham Knight, we start to make his clothing fitter and closer to the skin.
Spencer Williams: Duela, the daughter of the Joker, is another standout character. My favorite thing about her? Her style is punk and reminds me of the first Blade Runner with Michael Kaplan's costumes. Tell me about bringing this character into live action.
Jennifer May Nickel: In terms of her comic book background, she has a twisted character that we don't bring out too much on our show. We wanted to honor her in the costumes - any clothes she steals, she'll make her own by funking them up. She'll add safety pins and make holes in her clothes. She's a fugitive, after all, so she steals the Gotham Academy students' clothes and makes them her own.
Spencer Williams: She's so cool and such a perfect fit for Gotham Knights! I could go on talking about each character, but I think I'll leave it there. Jennifer, thank you so much for joining me today! I'm so glad we got to chat about this amazing show!
Jennifer May Nickel: Thank you, Spencer! It was great chatting with you!
/catch episodes of Gotham Knights on The CW
Enrichment Data:
- Gotham Knights Costume Design Breakdown by Focus and Inspiration
- Turner Hayes
- Influences: Bat-Family, comic book roots, pure punk (Hugh Dillon's punk outfits), David Johansen's rock 'n' roll style, and motorcycle club fashion
- Design approach: Mixing classic Batman aesthetics with an updated, more energetic, and punk-inspired look to represent the edgier side of the character and the gritty atmosphere of Gotham City
- Duela Dent
- Influences: Femme fatale and punk rock (e.g., Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joan Jett, and Debbie Harry); television's The Sonny & Cher Show outfits, calendar and album covers from the 1970s, the aesthetic of 1960s biker gangs, and a touch of comic book art
- Design approach: Anchoring the costumes in iconic punk styles while incorporating elements of the 1960s and 1970s, and creating a unique twist to reflected Duela's edgy, unpredictable nature as a character
- The Court of Owls
- Influences: Gothic, Victorian, Edwardian, and Knights of Templar style outfits; Art Deco and Mayan Art influences
- Design approach: Creating ornate, intricate, and visually striking costume designs, influenced by the owl motif, with elaborate patterns, opulent fabrics, and luxurious textures to establish a sense of power and grandeur for the Court of Owls characters
- The Talon
- Influences: Ninja arts and samurai tradition; a touch of Feudal Japan influences
- Design approach: Designing a costume that represents The Talon's deadly efficiency, combining elements of feudal Japan, a samurai's armor, and stealth and assassin techniques for a blend of traditional and modern sensibilities
- Gotham Knights Character Costumes - Analyzing Unique Style Choices
- Turner Hayes
- Black leather jacket, distressed jeans, and band tees playing homage to punk and rock n' roll subcultures
- Utilizing a color palette that includes black, neon green, and red detailing to make the costume stand out
- Duela Dent
- Mixing patterns and fabrics in clothes, such as leopard print, fishnets, and denim for an eclectic, edgy look
- Utilizing a bold, vibrant color palette, like fuchsia, lime green, and electric blue, to reflect the character's playful, unpredictable nature
- The Court of Owls
- Black suits, white shirts, bow ties, and owl-patterned detailing to represent the court's sinister and powerful nature
- Utilizing a dark, muted color palette that includes black, downy white, and slate gray to reflect the mysterious and gothic aspects of the character
- The Talon
- Donning black leather armor with owl motifs and intricate patterns
- Utilizing a sleek, all-black color palette with a mix of textures such as leather and metal to express a sense of intimidation and danger
- The Gotham Knights Character Makeup and HairstylesWhile there is limited information on makeup and hairstyles for the characters in Gotham Knights, initial descriptions suggest that the hairstyles have a modern feel with some variations reflecting the characters' personalities and backgrounds. The makeup, however, focuses more on emphasizing the characters' features and creating subtle differences to distinguish them from one another, giving a minimal yet impactful look.
- In the realm of entertainment, the costume design for Gotham Knights, a series airing on The CW, has been masterfully crafted by Jennifer May Nickel.
- Jennifer May Nickel, a celebrated costume designer, discusses the process of designing costumes for characters like Robin, which carries the legacy of Batman-related properties, as well as her approach to developing the look for other characters such as Turner Hayes, Duela Dent, The Court of Owls, and The Talon.
