Frankenstein: Costume design (including hair and make-up)

Concepts and Key Functions of Costume Design

Costume design in “Frankenstein” serves to support the narrative by helping to define characters, era, location and mood.
The visual design helps to communicate aspects of characterisation. For example, Victor could be costumed in traditional 19th century attire to reflect his location, social status and immersion in academic pursuits.
Costumes should signal the contrast between Victor and his creation. Victor’s clothing could be neat and refined, while the Creature’s clothing could be rough and in tatters.
The costumes can also be used to visually communicate the character’s progression or transformation. As Victor’s obsession with his experiment grows, his costumes might become dishevelled.

Designing the Creature’s look requires special consideration. His physical appearance is an important aspect of his characterisation, and can significantly influence audience perception.
The Creature’s costume and makeup should reflect his unnatural birth, perhaps using unconventional materials or unusual construction methods.
The Creature’s makeup should highlight his animated corpse appearance. The hair and skin could appear to be decaying and his eyes could be given an eerie glow, to create an unsettling visage.
The designer might want to avoid traditional “monster” tropes to encourage sympathy for the Creature, reinforcing the notion that it is societal rejection and ill-treatment which drives him to violent acts.

The use of colour in “Frankenstein” costumes can convey certain themes or symbolic meanings.
Dark colours could be used to represent death, mystery and the gothic atmosphere. Victor’s costumes might be darker as his experiment progresses, reflecting his moral decline.
The Creature might initially appear in lighter hues to signify his innocence, with his costumes darkening as his experiences harden him.

Costumes should reflect the early 19th century setting and characteristics of the Swiss locale.
Attention to detail is important: hairstyles, footwear and accessories should be in keeping with the period to enhance authenticity and believability.
The disparity between Victor’s privileged background and the Creature’s harsh existence could also be reflected in their clothing and appearance.