This post is related to the Outlander Panel Discussion that took place on April 5, 2016, “From Scotland to Paris.” I will demonstrate that the costume designer, Terry Dresbach, is worthy of an Emmy, and not just a nomination. During the panel discussion, Terry showed the fans her team’s creations/artwork. The end product is the result of hard work and dedication. She showed different types of eighteenth-century embroidery, painted fabric, and thousands of clothing items and accessories. They successfully created not only a high number of outfits but beautiful costumes in a short period.
What attracted me the most is the creation of Claire’s costumes. Terry selected creations by Christian Dior from the 1940s as a primary source of inspiration, especially the iconic “Bar Suit.” Dior used, as an inspiration, pieces from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. He created a trend called “The New Look.” Terry incorporated not only the “Bar Suit” but also other designs from the 1940s into Claire’s eighteenth-century outfits. In a way, she successfully establishes a connection between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries. However, another reason for incorporating twentieth-century designs into the eighteenth-century garments is related to the fact that Claire has to be perceived as different, “a little bit wrong,” and “out of place.”
I have written extensively about the symbolism of the white color. One of Claire’s color is white. In Dragonfly in Amber, she is known as “La Dame Blanche.” In later books, the Cherokee refer to her as White Raven. However, her association with white animals does not end there. She shares a particular relationship with a ghost bear, which is white in color, a white mare, and a silver-white deer. Overall, white animals are rare and not simply because albinism is involved. White coloring in animals is recessive making it rare. It is similar to recessive blue eyes vs. dominant brown eyes.
Claire is perceived as different and rare by characters from the eighteenth century. Jamie refers to her as rare in Dragonfly in Amber before she goes back to her time.
“Lord, ye gave me a rare woman, and God! I loved her well” (ch. 42).
Of interest is the comment that Lord John makes about the white-silver deer that frequents his adopted son’s plantation.
“. . .It’s white, I suppose, but it looks as though it’s made of silver. I don’t know whether it comes only in the moonlight or whether it’s only that I cannot see it save by moonlight – but it is a sight of rare beauty” (An Echo in the Bone, ch.95).
Overall, the TV adaptation is being faithful to the books. They are not just creating beautifully made sets and costumes. They are transmitting book symbolism into their beautiful creations. This season’s costumes are evidence of excellent adaptation worthy of Emmys.
Here are some interesting links that you might like.
Here is the link to my post about white color symbolism.
Here is the link to “From Scotland to Paris” Outlander Panel
Sources
Gabaldon, Diana. An Echo in the Bone. 2009. New York: Bantam Dell. 2011. Print.
– – -. Dragonfly in Amber. New York: Bantam Dell, 1993. Print.