“Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again.”
How many of us have read those words time again in Daphne Du Maurier’s acclaimed and beloved tale of romance and suspense, or heard them uttered by Joan Fontaine in Hitchcock’s 1940 film version of REBECCA?
Now we hear them again as Lily James tackles one of the most famous roles in cinema and transforms from a wide-eyed and innocent girl into Mrs. de Winter, wife of the wealthy and storied Maxim de Winter. But being Mrs. de Winter is not everything she thought it would be, for on arriving at the de Winter estate of Manderley, the new Mrs. de Winter faces a chilly and mysterious reception from Mrs. Danvers, head of the Manderley staff and former “aide de camp” to the first Mrs. de Winter, Rebecca.
Joining Lily James is Armie Hammer as Maxim, Sam Riley as Jack Favell, and Kristen Scott Thomas in an award-worthy turn as Mrs. Danvers, with Ben Wheatley directing the screenplay written by Jane Goldman, John Shrapnel, and Anna Waterhouse. And for my money, this REBECCA is more a reimagination of the novel than a remake of Hitchcock’s acclaimed work and stands tall on its own merits.
With rich, lush cinematography by Laurie Rose and production design by Sarah Greenwood, the other part of the main artistic triumvirate is costume design courtesy of JULIAN DAY. Julian’s costume design far exceeds what Irene did with the 1940 Hitchcock version. The costumes are emotionally resonant and evocative, defining each character, their station in life, their life journey, their truest emotions. The tonal shifts in the film are defined in the costuming (gold, most notably, bookending the film and tying it together with a defining shift in power; the use of aubergines and dark navy and blue for Mrs. Danvers; a blue and grey undulating moire patterned sweater for Mrs. de Winter) which is exquisitely showcased by Laurie Rose’s cinematography.
I spoke with JULIAN DAY at length about the costume design for REBECCA; the fabrications, the colors, the design and fit of each outfit, tailoring each garment or look so as to set tone and convey emotion of not only an individual but of a scene or even Manderley itself, the intent behind each design, the history behind some of the fabrics he chose and/or printed, and so much more.
Always a joy speaking with Julian, our conversation is casual and fun while we stitch together the story of REBECCA through fabric and fashion. An award-worthy cinematic turn once again by Julian, take a listen to my exclusive interview with costumer designer JULIAN DAY talking REBECCA.
by debbie elias, exclusive interview October 13, 2020
REBECCA is now streaming on Netflix.
