tech
February 13, 2026
'It’s not a documentary': costume designers on ditching accuracy for spectacle
Wuthering Heights is the latest film to turn heads over anachronistic costumes, but it’s not by any means the first.
TL;DR
- The film 'Wuthering Heights' is noted for its anachronistic costumes, a trend seen in other recent productions.
- Costume designers are embracing creative freedom, blending historical periods with modern and futuristic elements for narrative and visual impact.
- This approach is not new, with past films like Sofia Coppola's 'Marie Antoinette' and the 1940s 'Pride and Prejudice' also taking liberties with historical accuracy.
- The 'Bridgerton effect' is cited as a catalyst for this trend, offering escapism during the global pandemic.
- True historical accuracy in costume design is challenging due to fabric availability and interpretation.
- Some experts believe that costume design often reflects the era in which it is made rather than the historical period it depicts.
- While some advocate for period correctness, designers often find that creative freedom and spectacle enhance the storytelling.
- The use of anachronisms can lead to a more unique identity for a film and a 'poetic response to the text'.
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