The Genius of Film Storytelling through Wardrobe and Color Theory
- instyle2324
- Oct 30, 2024
- 7 min read
AHMED MOHAMMED SAEED for MacInStyle
Wednesday October 30th 2024
“Of all God's gifts to the sighted man, color is holiest, the most divine, the most solemn.”
- John Ruskin
Color is a physical phenomenon produced by light. While these colors share the same origin, they each speak to the soul differently. They allow us to feel, change our moods and influence our perceptions of everything that happens around us. Fashion designers have used color for centuries, allowing them to express certain ideas and evoke specific emotions, all while enhancing their collections and creating harmony and cohesion between pieces. An area that has benefited heavily from the conjunction of fashion and color theory is the movie industry, where talented directors and custom designers used colors to enhance movie narratives and story progression by highlighting relationships, character developments and intense emotions through a colorful lens, creating memorable masterpieces and stunning works of art. In this blog, I would like to illustrate to you my dear reader how these Hollywood directors created such unforgettable films by presenting two case studies: The contrasting themes of black vs white, and the impact of chromatic colors.
“By the way, this blog contains spoilers for the following movies: Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream, La La Land, and Whiplash”. You have been warned!!!!
Case Study 1: Black vs white, a Fiery Duel or a Path to Completion?
Natalie Portman's character Nina, who is portrayed as the epitome of purity in Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan, is a youthful figure whose innocent and monotonous attitude is concealed by her unwavering pursuit of the objective of being the ideal ballerina. Her adversary Lily (Mila Kunis), in sharp contrast, emerges as a figure of passion and liberation; her colorful spirit dances in a world unbound from convention. It's no secret that Lily personifies the deeper appeal of the black swan, while Nina symbolizes the delicate white swan, a sign of virtue. In the film's early scenes, Nina’s wardrobe of white and pale pink contrasts sharply with Lily’s bold black clothing, a deliberate choice that speaks volumes. Black and white represent, in an almost extreme contrast ratio of 21:1, the age-old fight between darkness and light, right and wrong, chaos and order, innocence and experience, and dullness and fulfillment. While Nina prepares to play the black swan, she accepts the darker sides of her character that have longed to surface for years. Her clothes gradually change from white to black, reflecting her metamorphosis and the awakening of her suppressed desires. And herein lies Aronofsky's genius: the nuanced contrast between the white and black clothing tells a visual tale that precisely encapsulates each character's journey. By showing that the meeting of light and dark is a necessary dance of progress rather than just a fight, this dramatic contrast ultimately produces a sense of wholeness. The delicate balance between the white and black swans represents the complexity of personal growth and the understanding that true pleasure stems from loving oneself in all of its forms.
Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash employs the black-and-white contrast as well to drive the narrative forward. Andrew’s (Miles Teller) white T-shirt at the very beginning is symbolic of his innocence and inexperience. On the other hand, Fletcher's (J.K Simmons) black tee epitomizes an unrelenting passion for perfection-an intimidating will to sacrifice everything for greatness. As the movie progresses, Andrew's T-shirts get progressively darker, reflecting his increasing commitment and unstoppable ambition to be the next great drummer, no matter the cost. Interestingly enough, the only time that Fletcher is seen wearing anything other than black is a gray shirt while performing at the jazz club after he has lost his teaching job. That represents a surrender of power and introduces a still-more-threatening neutrality. Once again, white and black come into play to suggest true mastery through balance. Andrew does not have to shed his innocence in order to be great; a touch of white along with the relentless intensity of black carves out a much more subtle path towards greatness.
Case Study 2: Yellow, Red, Orange and Green. And at Least a Million Others…
You can’t possibly write a piece about fashion and color theory in movies without mentioning Damien Chazelle’s enchanting masterpiece: La La Land. Chazelle weaves color into the film's very fabric, using each hue to unfold a compelling narrative. Every dress color serves a significant purpose, while the lighting in each frame dances in harmony with the story. La La Land has 5 main colors that elevated the story to new heights:
Blue: Chazelle masterfully employs blue to symbolize the reality that both Mia (Emma Stone) and Seb (Ryan Gosling) yearn to escape. Mia wears a blue dress to the party where she feels out of place , while Seb’s sister is wearing a blue sweater when she is confronting him about his life choices. Blue can also be seen when Seb is performing the Christmas songs that he hates playing. And finally, blue is present both when Mia wants to accept her reality and abandon her acting dreams and when the couple decides to part ways, recognizing that it is the most realistic choice for their futures. As one of the two most dominant colors in the film, blue powerfully conveys the depth of their struggles and aspirations, enriching the narrative in profound ways.
Red: While blue symbolizes the characters' stagnant realities, red embodies their hopes and dreams. It starts when an actress in a red dress visits Mia’s coffee shop, mirroring the aspirations that ignite Mia’s imagination. Mia’s red sweater at the Lighthouse Jazz Club further represents Seb’s dream of owning a jazz club where Mia can dance freely. However, red also casts a shadow over their dreams, appearing during pivotal moments of conflict, such as the lights illuminating Mia’s solo performance and her jacket during the failed audition. Perhaps the most pivotal use of red as a mirage is seen in Seb’s piano keys during the photoshoot, a moment that foreshadows his missed opportunity to attend Mia’s play, ultimately leading to the unraveling of their relationship. Undoubtedly, red emerges as the most prevalent color in La La Land, beautifully encapsulating the hopes and dreams the characters strive to realize amidst their struggles.
Yellow: Yellow is prominently used in La La Land as a symbol of new beginnings. Whenever yellow appears on screen, it suggests that events are about to take a turn, either for the better or the worse. Mia’s yellow dress at the pool party, where she and Seb first connect, foreshadows the blossoming of their relationship. Yellow also appears on the audition director’s shirt when Mia secures her first acting role, as well as the shirt worn by the man selling Seb's jazz club. However, yellow’s duality is evident in one crucial moment: when Keith (John Legend) is wearing a yellow sweater while offering Seb a position in his band, it foreshadows the beginning of the unraveling of Mia and Seb’s relationship.
Green: Green represents both new beginnings and growth, as well as jealousy and inexperience. The green color of Mia’s workplace signifies her potential and aspirations. The green dress she wears when she leaves her boyfriend for Seb further emphasizes her desire for a fresh start. Additionally, green is the dominant color during the "City of Stars" scene, symbolizing the blossoming of their relationship. However, this color also appears during their first fight, highlighting the complexities and challenges that accompany their journey together.
Purple: What do you get when you mix red and blue? If you said purple, you’re absolutely right. This vibrant color symbolizes the couple's cherished moments together. The sky glows purple during the lovely night scene, while the planetarium's background turns purple during their romantic dance. Mia wears a purple dress when she and Seb sing "City of Stars," and it's the first dress she wears in the epilogue where they imagine they were still together. Purple signifies that their relationship is in a good place, representing a blend of their realities and dreams. They would not have achieved their dreams if they had not met and encouraged each other.
To further illustrate the importance of color in storytelling, let’s look at another of Darren Aronofsky's masterpieces, Requiem for a Dream. The red dress that Sara (Ellen Burstyn) dreams of fitting into again, and the same dress Marion (Jennifer Connelly) wears in Harry’s (Jared Leto) dream, carries significant weight in the plot. The “red dress effect” is a phenomenon where wearing red increases attraction, sexual desire, and romantic appeal compared to other colors. Studies show that women rate men wearing red as more attractive, and vice versa, with participants even reporting feeling more attractive when wearing red. In the film, Sara’s red dress symbolizes her longing for beauty and validation after the loss of her husband. However, red, while a symbol of love and passion, also signifies danger. Though Sara finally fits into the dress, her success is overshadowed by her descent into drug addiction—an obsession mirrored by the red dress. Even in the mental hospital, Sara clings to the dress, a heartbreaking symbol of her shattered dreams. Marion’s appearance in the same red dress within Harry’s dream serves as a warning: his pursuit of success (Even though his success was dealing drugs but you get the point) will ultimately cost him their relationship. In Requiem for a Dream, a single color conveys a powerful story, reflecting both hope and the inevitable downfall.
All in all, these are just a few examples of how movie directors use color theory and fashion to elevate their storytelling. Next time you watch a film, pay close attention to the colours worn by the actors and actresses, and discover for yourself the subtle yet powerful role these choices play in shaping the narrative.
References
https://berkeleymediareview.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/the-rivalry-and-success-of-color-in-black-swan/
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