WARDROBE FAQ
Below we break down each character of Flowers Die First with writer, Christina K. Caralis, as well as give a glimpse into the thought process of designing for this film with our Costume Designer Aidan Skye Jameson!
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF DESIGNING COSTUMES FOR FLOWERS DIE FIRST?
I love historical garment research. I think fashion, especially for women, has had a lot of fun with the evolution of the silhouette. The way garments were constructed in the 1940s reflect the social and economical environment of the era. There’s so much history and culture to be explored with fashion at the time, especially with Pachuca fashion. Men’s fashion was also at its peak in my opinion in terms of the suit structure. There’s beautiful and subtle changes in menswear throughout history that creates a deeper meaning to each piece, structure, and silhouette. My favorite experience was researching the different ways groups of people expressed themselves in a time of world war with fashion regulations and boycotts. - Aidan Skye Jameson
WAS THERE ANY HIDDEN MEANING IN YOUR DESIGNS?
Everything has a hidden meaning in costume design! Every color, fabric, and silhouette is chosen to tell an underlying narrative for the characters and the world they live in. Color and silhouette played a huge role in the underlying story for the characters. The factory costumes are rooted in earth tone colors, but as the story progresses there is a shift in vibrancy and expression through the women’s attire. Anita begins to embrace more pattern and brighter colors to show a shift in her priorities - Aidan Skye Jameson
ANITA MENDEZ
Played by Reyna Papotto
Anita Mendez has an unyielding sense of responsibility to the only family she has left, her elderly father Señor Mendez. Meticulous and confident in her work, Anitas loyalty is tested as she walks the line of temptation to leave her overbearing fiancee after time stops during a single phone call from an unplanned lover, and her heart dares her to risk it all.
Anita starts out in very simple, regulated work attire. She does not wish to stand out nor can she afford to. Her priorities are not in the way she presents herself. Once she receives a call from a marine, everything flips upside down for her. She starts to look towards her coworkers Dotty and Rosa who both represent different forms of women’s fashion at the time. After this shift in character, we see Anita start to embrace herself as a woman but also as a Mexican American woman. Her clothing teeters on women’s fashion and Pachuca fashion. Towards the end of the film, Anita is sucked back into the mundane, losing all sight of her expression through clothing.
COSTUME AND NARRATIVE BREAKDOWNS
Anita through the Film
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OPENING OUTFIT
GRAY WORK DRESS
RAINBOW BUTTON HOUSE DRESS
LETTER DRAFTING DRESS
WORK AND HOME DRESS
RED CORDUROY WORK DRESS
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SILK PEACOCK DRESS
FELIPE GUTIÉRREZ
Played By Justin Weimerskirch
Felipe is unresting. Habitually concealing his deep shortcomings, Felipe puts his efforts into being an unwavering factory manager, constantly attempting to pull the women that work for him together into a perfect bow. Felipe’s relationship with Anita is lacking not only compassion, but a real understanding of who she really is.
Felipe remains structured throughout the film, following fashion regulations and guidelines for men during World War II. Felipe does pay attention to what is in style though so he always looks up to date. To show his patriotism, he follows the fabric rations and boycotts closely. This is also a nod to his guilt and insecurity for not fighting in the war. This was something many men felt pressured by in the 1940s so I wanted to show his inner psyche with his wardrobe choices. At the time, men’s regulated fashion remained fairly simple in color so ties were the only place men could have fun. Felipe’s ties are used to indicate his struggle to maintain control over Anita while she explores what she truly wants. Despite their conflict, Felipe regains control and power by the end going back to his simple and balanced ties.
COSTUME AND NARRATIVE BREAKDOWNS
Felipe through the Film
SPEARPOINT COLLAR WORK SHIRT
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TWO TONE POLO
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WESTERN JACKET
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BLUE SHIRT
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WHITE LINEN DINNER JACKET
HAND PAINTED SILK TIE
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QUARTZ CUFFLINKS
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TWO TONE OXFORDS
ROSA
Played By Becca Gleb
The instigator. Rosa's explosive personality, and sharp criticisms of others often cause her to butt heads with those she reports to. Keen on Anita’s struggle, she does not particularly care if circumstances do not directly affect her. Rosa’s excuse for working at the factory is to keep Dotty updated on the latest fashion, and test how deep she can ruffle Felipe's showboat peacock feathers.
Rosa is meant to represent the rebellious side of women’s fashion in the 1940s. Pachuca fashion had bold silhouettes, big hair, iconic shoes, and dark makeup to highlight a woman’s culture. This fashion became a political statement for many Mexican Americans who felt like they did not belong to American culture or Mexican culture. In this sense of displacement came the iconic style of Pachuca fashion. Rosa is a symbol of culture for Anita. She shows Anita the beauty in fashion and how it can tie into cultural expression which is something Anita never learned. This influence is seen in Anita’s Pachuca hairstyle and makeup.
COSTUME AND NARRATIVE BREAKDOWNS
Rosa through the Film
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NAVY SUIT
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BELTED SKIRT
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1930'S MEXICAN TEXTITLE SKIRT
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SWING DRESS
PATCH WORK DRESS
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PACHUCA HEELS
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KNOTTED EARRINGS
SPIRAL EARRINGS
DOTTY
Played By Kylie Cunningham
Dotty has always been like those first few chews into a juicy pink bubble gum - sweet, instantly lovable, and after the novelty subsides - any substance or flavor - gone. Flitting from trend to trend, the only constant about her is that she will sacrifice a work uniform demerit for her perfect curls any day.
Dotty is the patriotic bombshell that became the ideal beauty of the 1940s. She is light hearted and fun, drawing Anita’s attention and curiosity. Anita learns to let loose and embrace her femininity after seeing how Dotty expresses herself. Dotty wears many florals, pastels, and of course victory red lipstick. She inspires Anita to embrace color and pattern in her wardrobe. We also see Anita wearing a scarf that belongs to Dotty, showing that Dotty is helping Anita explore this new side of herself.
COSTUME AND NARATIVE BREAKDOWNS
Dotty through the film
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GREEN DRESS
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PEACH BOW SWEATER
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BOTTLE SKIRT
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SPEARPOINT SHIRT
RED SHOE
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TWO TONES OXFORDS
SEÑOR MENDEZ
Played By Juan Edenhofer
Señor Mendez is a loving but naive father who wants the best for his daughter. The many years of sacrifice and providing for his family instilled tradition and honor into his character. Too old to work, he now must rely on Anita to make ends meet, and is sorrowful that he has left this burden to her. Senior Mendez enables the idea of marrying his daughter into a well promised future but is blind to the emotional needs that aren't being met by her self important betrothed.
To see more of Señor Mendez and his thoughtful wardrobe follow our film instagram @flowersdiefirst for more BTS and Flowers Die First release dates!
NICHOLAS PARKER
Played By Jacob Rannik
Nicholas lives in the silver lining. After being selected for the peacetime draft, this boy next door never lost touch of the humor and kindness that others often remarked about his character. His optimistic outlook on life and duty, as well as his unwavering hope of a better future with Anita, is the cornerstone of the choices that spur those into action around him.
To see more of Nicholas Parker and his authentic wardrobe follow our film instagram @flowersdiefirst for more BTS and Flowers Die First release dates!