Costume plays a key role in the setting of The Brutalist, the film starring Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones. Costume designer Kate Forbes has revealed fascinating details about the process of creating and selecting the garments, highlighting the challenges of a tight budget.
At Peris Costumes, we are proud to have contributed to this ambitious project with stock garments and tailoring, ensuring the authenticity of the period costumes. The production focused on dressing the main characters in pieces faithful to the 40s, 50s and 60s, many of them from renowned costume houses in London and Europe.
One of the most significant moments in the film is the reunion of Tóth (Adrien Brody) with his wife Erzsébet (Felicity Jones). For this key scene, Forbes opted for a change in Tóth’s wardrobe, choosing a grey sports jacket and pale blue shirt, reflecting a moment of hope and serenity in the story.
Details make a difference, and The Brutalist is no exception. One example is the Van Buren ties, carefully selected in shades of sapphire and deep red, evoking the characteristic elegance of the era with authentic hand-painted silks.
With over 750 to 1,000 costumes used in the extras alone, the costumes were a feat of design, creativity and recycling. At Peris Costumes, we continue to strive for excellence in historical recreation, helping to bring stories to life through costume.
To achieve this level of authenticity, each garment went through a meticulous process of selection and adaptation. The combination of original pieces with bespoke tailoring allowed the essence of the period to be maintained without compromising the visual narrative. The costumes not only dressed the characters, but also told their story, conveying their emotions and evolution throughout the film.
Find out more about our work on costumes for other major productions on our website!
