CUT FROM THE SAME CLOTH

Discover how Jacqueline West had a hand in developing three key costumes from Dune

GOWN DESIGN

Lady Jessica’s costume for her arrival on Arrakis has been described as the “most expensive costume ever made” by Dune’s co-costume designer Jacqueline West. Influenced by medieval fashion and the book’s descriptions, the design features hundreds of hand-made chain links.

“It really shows her medieval queen glory on Arrakis,” says Jacqueline, who explains how costume maker Bryony Tyrrell worked on the chainmail throughout the film’s production.

She describes the costume’s influences: “[These designs] are based on Balenciaga and how he took everything from [Diego] Velazquez and Goya but also medieval paintings. There’s a simplicity that’s almost spiritualistic to them.”

CULTURE CLASH “It was a real undertaking, because it required creating so many futuristic costumes without having the usual futuristic reference points,” says Jacqueline.