Waller-Bridge’s show, Killing Eve pins two unusual women against one other and drags the viewer through a cat-and-mouse chase as M.I.5 investigator Eve (Sandra Oh), tracks down Villanelle, an indifferent killer. The detective is taken in by the assassin's flirtatious and daring ways, and she, like the viewer, is enthralled by Villanelle's character and intricate lifestyle—one overwhelmed with a magnificent power, unfettered violence, and high fashion. Being an international assassin, as it appears, pays very well, and therefore Villanelle goes to great lengths to appear young, attractive, and elegant. While the outfits she wears are eye-catching, they also expose her, comedic, egotistical, and rather theatrical personality.
And thanks to the show's three costume designers, Phoebe De Gaye, Sam Perry, and Charlotte Mitchell, it's difficult for the audience not to be enthralled by Villanelle's day-to-day wardrobe: composed of one of a kind silhouettes and bright colored prints that effortlessly blend the line between what’s considered masculine and feminine fashion.
Throughout the show, Villanelle’s outfits are their own subplot. Her brocade Dries Van Noten suit, for example, is remembered for its fantastic fit and bold design as she stabs Eve's colleague to death in a crowded nightclub. It makes a strange sort of logic that Villanelle would wear such a suit in this instance—it’s functional for its comfort and appropriate for the occasion: the business of killing, that is. But it also draws attention, which simply shows her confidence in not getting caught, despite standing out.
The creators, nonetheless, claim that the clothes in the show, are not meant to make Villanelle look appealing, they are simply her indulgence and reward for a job well done. Villanelle grew up surrounded by poverty in Perm, Russia, where her family struggled to make ends meet. Now, Villanelle spends all her money on clothes, to dress as she pleases because she has the freedom to do so. In fact, it’s not about attracting attention, it’s about allowing herself to feel in control, all while looking her best. If anything, her wardrobe is a symbol of financial stability and independence.
Features images from Max-o-matic,and Killing Eve TV show
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