Recreating Alien 3 Costumes: Persistence of the Horror Remains
Hey there, space enthusiasts! It's Alien Day (April 26th), when we delve deep into the universe of Alien, focusing this year on the costumes of the controversial third installment, Alien 3. Directed by the visionary David Fincher, let's dive headfirst into the cosmos of Alien costumes!
The costume designers behind Alien 3 were no strangers to sci-fi style, with David Perry, famed for his work on Flash Gordon, teaming up with Bob Ringwood, costume genius behind hits like Dune, Batman, Star Trek Nemesis, Troy, and even the fourth Alien film, Alien Resurrection. Combined, these two titans of television and film ensured that the costumes of Alien 3 were out of this world (quite literally).
In contrast to the first two films, Alien 3 takes place in a desolate prison teeming with male prisoners. The advanced technology witnessed in the previous films is all but deceased, leaving everyone sporting shaved heads due to a lice outbreak. The question on your mind might be, "What costume design is worth discussing in a film like this?"
However, even in these dire, broken-down conditions, costume breakdown and sustainability shone through. With limited resources for supplies, clothing recycling became essential, and characters resorted to altering their clothes through unconventional methods. In this universe, there wasn't much room for H&M or Forever 21 shopping sprees.
Every costume was aged appropriately to signify the grueling labor faced by these prisoners and a possible lack of hygiene. The process behind these costumes isn't extensively documented, as the production of Alien 3 has been a less than desirable memory for many. Yet, the end result was a collection of costumes that conveyed the narrative without explicitly stating it through every fiber.
Our leading lady, Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), was the only woman on this forsaken planet. Limited in clothing options, she sported a more nonbinary ensemble to blend in with her surroundings. However, a brief moment of her jacket slipping off her shoulder offered a slight glimpse of Ripley's unwavering identity.
Let's discuss the Xenomorph, our favorite interstellar pal. In Alien 3, Fincher decided to revert to the original model of just one Xenomorph, rather than the multitude from Aliens. Swiss artist H.R. Giger played a role in creating the original Xenomorph in the 70s, but Alien 3 was marred with corporate interference and setbacks. Regrettably, Giger wasn't credited in this film, but his spirit lived on through the third installment's Xenomorph design.
Fincher specifically wanted the Xenomorph's mouth to bear a resemblance to Michelle Pfeiffer's, opting for a more voluptuous and feminine look. The designer explained, "We did give it Michelle Pfeiffer's lips. That's what they're based on. It always had these little thin lips, and I said to Giger, 'Let's make it a woman when it comes right up to Ripley.' So it has these big, luscious collagen lips." The designers aimed for a more sensuous creature, contrasting the usual repulsive Xenomorph design.
Lastly, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the true villains of the story, make their appearance at the prison in pursuit of their prize, the Xenomorph growing inside Ripley. Known for their impeccable style, the commandos' spacesuits from the original Alien were a delightful nod to the first film.
So that's the lowdown on the costumes of Alien 3! From the gritty sustainability of recycled clothing to the controversial design of the Xenomorph, the creativity and attention to detail are undeniable. As always, I had a blast researching this, and I can't wait until next year when we dive into Alien: Resurrection and its introduction of Winona Ryder to this terrifying universe. Enjoy Alien Day, space fans!
Bonus Trivia:
- The costume designers aimed to make the costumes of Alien 3 grungier and more realistic than those in Aliens.
- The prison setting had a significant impact on the costumes, as the designers wanted them to look worn, torn, and rugged.
- The process of dyeing the fabrics and stamping the Weyland-Yutani logo on various costumes was a painstaking process that took several weeks to complete.
The costume designers behind Alien 3 were a formidable duo, with David Perry and Bob Ringwood bringing their expertise from projects like Flash Gordon, Dune, Batman, Star Trek Nemesis, Troy, and Alien Resurrection to create costumes that were out of this world. Despite the desolate prison setting, costume breakdown and sustainability were still emphasized, with clothing recycling being essential due to limited resources.
Every costume was aged appropriately to reflect the harsh labor conditions and potential lack of hygiene, and the leading lady, Ellen Ripley, sported a more nonbinary ensemble to blend in with her surroundings. The Xenomorph in Alien 3 was designed to resemble Michelle Pfeiffer, opting for a more voluptuous and feminine look, a departure from the usual repulsive design.
Lastly, the Weyland-Yutani Corporation was represented by commandos wearing spacesuits reminiscent of the original Alien film, serving as a delightful nod to the first installment. The grungier and more realistic costumes of Alien 3 were a departure from the slicker designs of Aliens, and the painstaking process of dyeing fabrics and stamping the Weyland-Yutani logo was a testament to the designers' dedication to detail.
In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, movies-and-tv, and entertainment, the costumes of Alien 3 are a fascinating blend of science, space-and-astronomy, and fashion, showcasing a unique approach to costume design that pays homage to the original film while also telling a compelling story of its own.
