Daisy Jones & The Six is a new Prime Video series that takes viewers on a journey through the world of 1970s rock ‘n’ roll. While much of the attention is focused on the steamy chemistry between co-lead singers Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne, it is Warren Rojas, the drummer of The Six, who steals the show with his drumstick acrobatics and electrifying style.
Costume designer Denise Wingate describes Warren as the “peacock” of the band. He is the one who spends his residual checks on extravagant stage wardrobe, including leather, fur-trimmed, and patchwork vests. These vests reflect Warren’s easygoing personality and his gratitude for the band’s success. They also serve a practical purpose, as many drummers during that era wore vests for ease of movement while playing. Wingate drew inspiration from legendary rockers like Carlos Santana and Mick Fleetwood, who often performed shirtless.
Warren’s style also includes vintage form-fitting pants that allow him to move freely while playing the drums. Wingate worked closely with Sebastian Chacon, the actor who portrays Warren, to develop his rock-god aesthetic and ensure that his wardrobe allows for flexibility and comfort during performances.
As the band embarks on their nationwide tour, Warren remains blissfully unaware of the growing tensions within the group. His vibrant stage presence and flamboyant outfits continue to wow the crowds. One standout costume is a striking gold-threaded vest paired with red velvet jeans. Wingate found this unique piece in a shop in New Orleans and describes it as a reflection of Warren’s over-accessorized style. He is often seen wearing colorful beaded necklaces and leather cuffs, which serve as symbolic talismans gathered during his time on tour.
In Hulu’s “Welcome to Chippendales,” the spotlight shifts to the world of male strip shows in the early 1980s. The opening of the New York Chippendales club is a spectacle of glitter and gold, featuring an MC dressed in a silver leather apron. Costume designer Peggy Schnitzer wanted to create a lavish and captivating atmosphere, with decor that is both golden and glittery. The performers wear a mix of darker colors and avoid the traditional black-and-white look associated with Chippendales. Choreographer Nick De Noia orchestrates a Rocky Horror-inspired musical extravaganza that sets the stage for jealousy and resentment to unfold.
One of the standout numbers in the show involves dancers wearing clinical-white mesh crop-tops and hot pants, performing in a mad scientist’s laboratory. Dr. Hunkenstein sings as the dancers rip away their shorts to reveal mirrored-metallic G-strings. Schnitzer custom-made all the costumes for this performance, including the stretch pants/shorts that allow for the seamless rip-away reveal. The design was the result of trial and error during rehearsals, with the snaps strategically placed at stress points to ensure a breathtaking breakaway.
Finally, in Showtime’s “George & Tammy,” viewers are transported to 1970s Las Vegas, where country musicians George Jones and Tammy Wynette are preparing for their debut performance. Costume designer Mitchell Travers wanted to capture the clash between George’s frilly taupe tuxedo and Tammy’s glamorous beaded red halter gown. George, who is accustomed to performing in bedazzled Western shirts and suits with swagger, feels out of place in the tuxedo and becomes increasingly agitated.
Travers drew inspiration from the slick style of ’70s crooners like Burt Bacharach, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. The tuxedo is intentionally made too shiny, with a long collar and a large bow tie, to give George something to reject. In an act of overcompensation, George seeks comfort in his roots and commissions a white suede suit from Nudie Cohn, a famous tailor for country stars. The suit, adorned with fringe and rhinestone dice, becomes a metaphor for the couple’s gamble with Vegas fame and George’s struggle to find his identity as a performer.
As George spirals into his own demons, the costumes reflect his emotional journey. He reluctantly returns to the tuxedo as he takes the stage with Tammy, but it is no longer a symbol of confidence and swagger. Instead, it represents a job that he feels forced to do, drawing a stark contrast to the boisterousness of the white suede suit.
In each of these shows, the costumes play a crucial role in capturing the essence of the characters and their respective eras. From Warren Rojas’ flamboyant rock ‘n’ roll style to the glitz and glam of Chippendales and the clash of styles in George & Tammy, the costumes help transport viewers to a different time and place. They serve as visual storytelling tools that enhance the narrative and provide insight into the characters’ personalities and emotional journeys.