Katina Danabassis: The Quietly Powerful Costume Designer Behind Celine Song’s Materialists

How do you visually show a character's psyche? Costume. Katina Danabassis, the costume designer on Celine Song’s latest film, Materialists, subtly shows the audience the complexities of Dakota Johnson's information-driven Lucy. Materialists examines the competitive world of modern dating through the eyes of Lucy, a New York City matchmaker. Within Lucy’s world, romance and business intertwine; love is merely transactional and is a data driven exchange. Lucy finds herself caught between two worlds as she finds herself in a love triangle between the wealthy and emotionally available Harry (Pedro Pascal) and her ex-boyfriend and struggling actor John (Chris Evans). As Song presents two opposite male love interests, Danabassis enhances this division by giving Lucy two opposite styles depending on the world of each man she finds herself in. At the heart of Danabassis’s work is visual communication, and she excels at using the costumes to act as a silent visual narrator that stylishly shows Lucy’s personal and relationship journeys.

Here are some standout moments that not only show Danabassis’s perfect visual storytelling but also brilliantly inspire any chic working girl’s wardrobe.

Business chic

Lucy’s first on-screen appearance shows her in stunning business attire. She wears a satin blouse, a pin-striped navy mini skirt, and a blazer. These are paired with black knee-high boots, ideal for strutting around New York in perfect romcom protagonist fashion. This effortless look is perfect for a professional day and after-work drinks, great inspiration for any corporate girl looking for a staple, timeless look.

The blue dress

Every rom-com has its most memorable look, be that Andie’s yellow dress in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days or Jenna’s multicoloured mini dress in 13 Going on 30; Materialists is no exception to this rule. Worn at the wedding of one of her successful matchmaking endeavours, the strapless royal blue Proenza Schouler ‘Odette’ gown is this film’s most memorable look. The dress perfectly stands out, but still is simple enough in design to make her approachable to potential clients and not upstage the bride.

Monochromatic date night

Lucy’s all-black date night outfit is the perfect show of effortless luxury. The Simkhai Oakley semi-sheer tank top paired with a midi fringe skirt is the perfect combination to woo Pedro Pascal’s Harry. The addition of a blazer as outerwear really adds sleekness to the outfit, perfect for camouflaging into the ultra-wealthy world of fine dining and the luxury 12-million-dollar apartment she finds herself in.

Floral dress

Flowers are a prominent motif throughout the film, so it is no surprise that they find their way into Lucy’s wardrobe. Lucy is seen wearing this Dôen ‘Nevara’ Dress. The yellow hue with orange detailing is perfect for fans of the butter-yellow trend this summer, and the flowy neckline contrasts with her angular business attire, adding a romantic glow to Lucy’s look.

Jewellery

“You make me feel valuable.”

The film explores the act of using relationships to make one feel more valuable, and what better way to explore this than through jewellery, an easy way to make yourself feel more valuable without the emotional strain.

Throughout the film, Lucy is seen to wear only coordinating silver jewellery, and one of the standout pieces is the ring Lucy wears throughout the film. It is a dainty silver ring with three hearts dangling from the band, a lovely little visual metaphor for a love triangle there. This ring has become so popular that it has enlisted many with the task of finding the closest dupe so that it can become part of everyone’s everyday jewellery pieces, and it has now even been made available to purchase on the A24 website.