Kirsty Cameron on Designing Florence Pugh’s Costumes for Netflix’s East of Eden
Kirsty Cameron, who crafted the costumes for Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, also designed the outfits for Netflix's adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, produced by Zoe Kazan. The narrative centers on Cathy Ames, portrayed by Florence Pugh. Cameron's inspiration stemmed from early street photography and the artworks of painters such as Mary Cassatt and Edvard Munch. Cathy's attire transforms from childhood dresses reminiscent of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to brocade outfits as Mr. Edwards’s mistress. After her marriage to Adam Trask (Christopher Abbott), she dons faded dresses inherited from his mother. In the concluding chapter, she opts for ornate brothel gowns. Cameron additionally created costumes for male characters, with Adam’s reflecting his personal journey and Lee (Hoon Lee) evolving from servant to suit. The series is currently available on Netflix.
Key facts
- Kirsty Cameron designed the costumes for Netflix’s East of Eden miniseries.
- The series is created by Zoe Kazan, granddaughter of Elia Kazan, director of the 1955 film adaptation starring James Dean.
- Florence Pugh plays Cathy Ames, who later becomes Kate.
- Cameron’s mood board included photographers Edward Linley Sambourne, George Hendrik Breitner, Alice Austen, David Hamilton, Deborah Turbeville, and Arnold Genthe.
- Painters referenced included Mary Cassatt, Pierre Bonnard, Berthe Morisot, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, and Edvard Munch.
- Cathy’s childhood look was inspired by Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Lewis Carroll’s photographs.
- The wedding dress chosen was the simplest of several renditions, intended to convey timelessness and innocence.
- Kate’s final aesthetic was influenced by Patti Smith and featured a severe palette with mementos from men.
- Mike Faist wore his costume for a weekend on location to prepare for his role as Charles Trask.
- East of Eden is now streaming on Netflix.
Entities
Artists
- Kirsty Cameron
- Florence Pugh
- Zoe Kazan
- Elia Kazan
- James Dean
- John Steinbeck
- Christopher Abbott
- Hoon Lee
- Martha Plimpton
- Mike Faist
- Jonah Wren Phillips
- Bodhi Aisher
- Ciarán Hinds
- Edward Linley Sambourne
- George Hendrik Breitner
- Alice Austen
- David Hamilton
- Deborah Turbeville
- Arnold Genthe
- Mary Cassatt
- Pierre Bonnard
- Berthe Morisot
- Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
- Edvard Munch
- Lewis Carroll
- Alice Liddell
- Patti Smith
- Jane Campion
Institutions
- Netflix
- Vogue
Locations
- California
- United States
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- San Francisco
- Chinatown
- East Coast