Theron makes fashion statement in new spy thriller
Charlize Theron not only turns killer spy in Atomic Blonde (in theatres Friday), she sets new fashion standards in the designer outfits that heat up the Cold War thriller.
Director David Leitch was so enamoured with the iconic 1980s looks on display, he added an explanatory line of dialogue for Theron’s stunningly clad MI6 spy Lorraine Broughton.
“If I had known,” Broughton mutters as police pull up to an apartment she’s broken into, “I would have worn a different outfit.” It spells out that the stylized fashion is movie magic.
“We thought we should have some rationalization, a wink to the audience that says: ‘Yes, this wouldn’t be the perfect spy outfit,’ ” Leitch says. “But it’s the perfect spy outfit for this movie.”
Here are a few of Broughton’s more memorable looks, which knock James Bond from the top of the best-dressed spy list: Theron fended off the German cops in the apartment scene while wearing an ’80s-inspired Massimo Dutti white coat, a black-andwhite Dior sweater and thigh-high Stuart Weitzman boots.
“With her white hair and that white coat, there was something about her that was the anti-cat burglar,” costume designer Cindy Evans says. “Charlize loved the outfit because the coat was loose enough to execute her moves.” Broughton donned a dark wig and brilliant red Dior archival outerwear as the ultimate power outfit for a key meeting. The doublebreasted vintage wool coat featured oversized black buttons.
“It was the most beautiful red I have ever seen,” Evans says. “I guarded that with my life.” For a meeting at a German punk club, Broughton donned a Thierry Mugler black minidress. The dress’s intricate back went unseen, but was impressive.
“The whole back was like a spider’s web, with so much power and sex appeal, I was selfishly hoping we could get a great shot of the whole outfit,” Evans says. Theron donned a backless bronze lamé jumpsuit to meet a male spy contact she was aiming to impress. “I wanted to have a bit of shimmy, with a Michelle Pfeiffer nod from Scarface,” Evans says. Evans didn’t know that Broughton’s red Dior stilettos would feature so prominently paired with her pinstripe bustier pantsuit by John Galliano’s Maison Margiela.
But after Lorraine bludgeons foes with her heel in the back of a car, the shoes demanded a starring role.