Words by Sheena Adesilu
Is it at all possible to talk about period dramas without mentioning the beloved series Bridgerton?
This Emmy award-winning drama follows eight siblings as they embark on their search for love in Regency London. Based on Julia Quinn’s best-selling romance novels, this sumptuous tale takes place during the high society courting season. Hailed as a mix of Downton Abbey and the American show Gossip Girl, it’s no surprise that Bridgerton is one of Netflix’s most-watched series of all time. It is also no surprise that, as keen stitchers, we have fallen head over heels for the show’s incredible costumes. Read on as we take a peek behind the curtain of season two, sitting down with its incredible costume designer, Sophie Canale. Fresh from working as an assistant on season one, Sophie got the opportunity to take the reins for the latest series: the first time she’d worked without the guidance of designers Ellen Mirojnick and John Glaser.
Changing Course
Considering the undeniable beauty of the garments in season two, it’s hard to believe this is Sophie Canale’s first role as a lead costume designer. Although this was an exciting opportunity, Sophie was immediately faced with the challenge of managing a huge department during a global pandemic. This called for a shift in her approach. “When I was working on season one, I would go to museums and fashion research centres,” explains Sophie, “but this time we relied on books, paintings, magazines, textile artists and the internet.” Research has been an integral part of the show, helping to inspire the 120-strong team to cultivate its signature wardrobe and colour palette. Bridgerton is well known for combining Regency-era fashion with contemporary styles and Sophie believes the show’s avant-garde wardrobe is a key ingredient for its success. “It’s not a traditional period drama – there’s so much colour and there are a lot of modern fabrics. I love that Bridgerton brings contemporary elements and period costumes together. This unique mixture of garments has caught the eye of a younger generation and enticed the older generation into a new world, too.”
Introducing the
Sharmas
The Sharma family are arguably the most memorable newcomers to the show. As the first South Asian family to appear in the drama, it was vitally important to Sophie that aspects of their heritage were woven into the costumes she created. “The Sharmas are very close to my heart and always will be. When designing their costumes we used Indian fabrics and embroidery. I even c
