Essence: In the latest season of legal drama Reasonable Doubt, Jax Stewart is still grappling with motherhood, her marriage, and her high-powered career. As an attorney at a reputable law firm in Los Angeles, she often dons suits to showcase how conservative her workplace is. Since she happens to be a partner, when she shows up to the office she must dress the part, sleek suits and not much else will cut it.
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In television, taking over as head costume designer after the show has already begun production can be daunting. While it’s important to bring your own ideas, there is also the unique challenge of “blending” your work with that of your predecessor. Derica Cole Washington, who designed earlier in the series, created a clear aesthetic for the character of Jax. Provi Fulp, who joined as designer on season three, did an outstanding job of maintaining that aesthetic while still adding a new perspective. Her incorporation of athleisure and graphic tees into Jax’s wardrobe makes sense, considering the character is returning from a leave of absence, and it’s an interesting departure from past seasons while still being true to the character. These more casual looks are also joined by some classic Jax silhouettes (boat neck dresses, blazers and fitted pantsuits), and the inclusion of both is a really effective use of costume to showcase two sides of her personality.
Few understand the power of clothing better than a costume designer, for good reason. But even for the everyday human, it is imperative that they know what they are saying when they get dressed in the morning. So many parts of my own childhood were learning that lesson. Making the switch from T-shirts to blouses in fifth grade instantly raised confidence and the way people perceived me. Entering middle school there was a switch at some point to back to T-shirts, which was a different sort of confidence in the casualness. High school is when children start to understand more, who they want to be that day, and how a good outfit can help kickstart the day off as a good one or act as armor to try and prevent the bad. What's really interesting is when taste differs. When someone wears an outfit that one person loves, and feels confident in, and yet someone else may look at it and simply be confused. That is not what is described in this article, but rather be dawning of armor. Creating yourself as a force to be reckoned with through your outfit is a masterful skill. And when the costume designer replicates very well.
Sarah Pearce* (Dang autocorrect)
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