HBO's "Lovecraft Nation" Star Wears A Lot of Crimson – And It Can't Be By Accident
Lovecraft Nation is one among HBO’s most fun new exhibits proper now. For the unfamiliar, the premise goes like this: Atticus “Tic” Freeman, together with pal and not-so-subtle love curiosity, Letita “Leti” Lewis, and his Uncle George embark on a street journey via Jim Crow America within the Fifties in the hunt for his lacking father. We study secrets and techniques and creepy tales within the city the place writer H.P. Lovecraft apparently based mostly a few of his horror tales.
Whereas the drama created by Misha Greene has spurred many Twitter conversations and garnered rave evaluations, naturally, we're significantly intrigued by the eye-catching outfits from good costume designer Dayna Pink. One thing else we rapidly seen? Leti, performed by Jurnee Smollett, typically shines in purple. From her classic ‘50s seems all the way down to her magnificence selections, she stands out within the daring shade in vivid shades or subdued variations like burgundy.
RELATED: 9 Burgundy Outfits to Put on for Fall
Since government producer Jordan Peele doesn’t prepare issues by chance, I puzzled if he lent a hand on this shade selection. He loves symbolism and colours with which means, as seen via blue, purple, and gray in Get Out. So we investigated the varied meanings of purple and spoke to Pink to attach the dots… (spoiler alerts forward)
Leti Jurnee Smollett fashion Credit score: HBO
The Historical past and Symbolism of the Shade Crimson within the Plot of Lovecraft Nation
On this present, purple has a number of meanings, however particularly concerning hazard, and magic, and faith.
Other than representing ardour, love, anger, and different excessive feelings, the colour purple is rooted in magic and faith. When you consider in such issues, or at the least take pleasure in listening to about them, this is sensible to make the most of in a present about magic, spells, and monsters. In keeping with some accounts, purple symbolized super-human heroism to the Greeks and has a big place in Christianity — the colour of Christ’s blood who was crucified. Crimson was additionally a uncommon and costly shade, following purple, which can have enhanced its magical and highly effective qualities. Finally, Tic will study his ancestry and function in an order that entails faith and magic — The Sons of Adam via Titus Braithwhite.
Crimson additionally supposedly awakens one’s bodily life drive. It’s related to a pioneering spirit and management qualities, which Leti shows all through the collection up to now. Spoiler: In episode 2, she dies and comes again to life. Consequently, she appears to have the ability to join with the lifeless, thus in some way giving a bodily life drive to the facet of the non-living.
Look carefully and also you’ll discover purple is throughout Lovecraft Nation in episode 1 — the barns and the kids enjoying with purple ribbon. Since purple can be a shade of hazard, this foreshadows hazard forward.
Leti Jurnee Smollett fashion Credit score: HBO
The Which means Behind Leti’s Crimson Outfits
Now let’s look again at Leti’s outfits. Within the first two episodes, we see Leti carrying probably the most purple. At a block occasion in Chicago, Leti’s first look is in a ‘50s skirt and burgundy sleeveless high with a smooth V-neck reduce — full with matching lipstick and nails. The ultimate contact of purple is in her striped petticoat, which we get a peek at as she dances. It’s Leti’s first look, so we are able to take this as a foreshadowing of not solely her impeccable fashion but additionally of how Leti displays the which means of the colour.
For instance, purple can be related to a excessive worth of expressing oneself, elementary bodily wants, and the need to outlive. These are core qualities of Leti’s character. As we see in her trendy seems of vivid purple pedal pusher pants and sleeveless tops accented with purple pockets and collars, she has enjoyable fashion selections that talk to an adventurous spirit as a photographer and somebody who isn't afraid to face up for herself and her artist associates in opposition to racism.
Leti’s character is robust and daring however weak and loving. She desires to assist fellow Black artists, and she or he deeply cares about Tic. Crimson additionally denotes love, and Leti exhibits this via the present by making an attempt to make amends together with her sister and assist her group, in addition to Tic. We study in episode 2, whereas the trio is trapped in a room that her deepest concern is abandonment. Leti, donning purple lipstick and nails, talks about her mom typically leaving residence and coming again late, till someday she didn’t. At that second, we’ve got a deeper understanding of Leti’s vulnerability.
Leti Jurnee Smollett fashion Credit score: HBO
In keeping with Pink, she used purple as a pop of shade for Leti in apparent and unobvious locations. “The purple capri pants within the first episode actually symbolize how robust she is and separate her from her fellow vacationers. The bolder purple of the equestrian vest and lining of her jacket is a reveal when she takes the jacket off on the desk.”
One other attention-grabbing factor to notice is that in Leti’s first sexual encounter with Tic within the rest room, he’s the one one who sees purple in her wardrobe. “Slightly additional secret is the liner of her teal fringed gown on the occasion," Pink says. "The whole skirt is lined with a vivid purple that may solely be seen at moments within the rest room. It served as an unseen layer to her that solely Atticus will get to essentially see."
Rather a lot occurs in Lovecraft Nation. One factor’s for certain although: the costumes serve extra than simply seems.
