Could 'Game of Thrones' costumes indicate the future of its characters?

Designer Michele Clapton and Embroider Michele Carragher reveal how they incorporate show's script into their dresses

The Game of Thrones (GoT) craze is in full swing as the latest season draws to an end. We're sure every single fan of the TV epic has been watching each and every episode with great concentration but the question is how closely have they been observing the fantasy show?

Every single scene is blessed with an ornamental costume, from which the sub-plots can be decoded. Designed by Michele Clapton and embroidered by Michele Carragher, these heavenly garments are truly praise-worthy.

PHOTO : THE VERGE

The clothes have a lot of thought put into them and the tiniest of features considered. The pair take into account the character’s status, the climate they live in and their background in order to create the perfect look. Think of the garments as a way for the characters to express themselves, according to their situation. Therefore, from jewels to sequins, every single micro detail is measured.

Clapton (left) and Carragher (right) PHOTO: HBO/ GAME OF THRONES

“Costume is always a fundamental device to present a character’s personality to an audience,” says Carragher. “I always like to incorporate hidden meanings and metaphor within my designs - I will place imagery or use materials that I have researched to add some personal narrative and personality of a character.”



Cersei Lannister, the current queen regent of the Seven Kingdoms and perhaps one of the most stunningly elaborated characters on the show, is mostly identified with the lion embellishment.

PHOTO: TELEGRAPH

Carragher plays with the designs based on the character’s emotions. So if the lions look distressed within the stitching, know there’s trouble ahead.

PHOTO: MICHELECARRAGHEREMBROIDERY.COM

“When she was in mourning after the death of her son Joffrey, I incorporated lion skulls into the design of her dresses to show that she was upset with the rest of the members of the Lannister family,” Carragher explains.

PHOTO: MICHELECARRAGHEREMBROIDERY.COM

Birds are also significant motifs as they indicate whether a character is about  to gain or lose power. Pay attention to whether a bold or fragile bird is showcased, as the clue is within the embroidery.

PHOTO: HBO/ GAME OF THRONES

“One of the first costumes that I embroidered for Cersei was her blue bird dress, which references her intention of seeking power under a non-threatening feminine look as well as the scheming she is involved with,” Carragher shares.

The collaborative costume creation procedure has the duo discussing the entire scenarios for each character before establishing any ideas from the sketches.

PHOTO: HBO/GAME OF THRONES

PHOTO: HBO/GAME OF THRONES

Back in season four, Tommen Baratheon was seen clad in majestic apparel for his coronation.

PHOTO: MICHELECARRAGHEREMBROIDERY.COM

Beautifully displaying the Lannister's symbol and incorporating the lions within the costume, Carragher gave Tommen a subtly royal look he required. With a deep base colour and patterns imprinted into the material, the whole costume truly deserves immense admiration.

PHOTO: HBO/GAME OF THRONES

Perhaps one the biggest endeavours on any TV show is a wedding. And it's up to the costume department to create the most spectacular dress - something that has never been seen before.

PHOTO: MICHELECALAGHEREMBRIODERY.COM

“Sansa was a pure innocent girl forced into a loveless marriage to one of the members of the rival Lannister family so for her wedding dress Michele wanted a confined, restricted bodice shape, with bare vulnerable arms,” Callagher explains.

Even the more contemporary costumes within the show were honoured with the embroider's hard work.

PHOTO: HBO/ GAME OF THRONES

Everyone can appreciate the amount of thought and effort gone into each and every inch of this piece. With a considerate colour scheme and materials to mimic the forest, who wouldn't be impressed?

PHOTO: MICHELECALLAGHEREMBRIODERY.COM

Having had a glimpse of the intricate costume details being put in GoT’s latest season, we should already have an idea of the kind of outfits created for the characters. Most of them have been predominantly dark and have had commanding shoulder embellishments which exhibit power.



“They are wonderfully sharp, fierce and strong designs where I have been able to echo the splendour of the costume’s sculptured shapes with lustrous, elaborate embellishment,” said the embroider.

We may have the chance to witness more of the aforementioned subtle bird emblems. However, as the war begins, every character will probably be seen carrying as much power-related embroidery as they possibly can.

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