Dune Part 2 was brought to life by the luxurious costume designs created by Jaqueline West.
West gained inspiration from the cultural clothing in Budapest and had help from jewelry makers
from the Middle East to craft the perfect pieces to tell the story of Dune 2. She also took
inspiration from past fashion eras such as the renaissance era.
The Dune series is based on a 1965 science fiction novel following a Ducal heir’s accession over
a futuristic desert-landscaped world. In Dune Two, the infamous heir faces a tough decision to
protect either his lover or to preserve the fate of the universe. With futuristic concepts in mind,
much of the fashion in the film introduces ultramodern and contemporary styles. We also see
armor and warrior inspired pieces, specifically on the women like Zendaya's character, Chani.
The pieces are somewhat of a wearable art, because they appear sculptural and unworldly but
function as protection or guard in the movie. The visions of the art and aesthetic came across on
the screen and pulled the storytelling of this movie together.
A new character was introduced in this sequel, which was played by Florence Pugh. Princess
Irulan is a mysterious Bene Gesserit who is a key representation of feminine power in the film.
Her looks had to fit her persona, and they did not fall short. Being a Bene Gesserit, she is a part
of a royal family. However, she is also a nun, which will play into the styles she is seen wearing.
Many stunning headpieces were incorporated in her looks, taking inspiration from medieval
styles. The headdresses were made by hand by beaders in Budapest, giving an authentic feel to
the apparel. She also wore a dress made of chain mail, which is a type of armor made of small
metal rings linked together. This again played to the styles of medieval armor which continued to
be featured on many of the characters.
Zendaya’s character, Chani, also represents a warrior. She is mostly seen in neutral and
dark shades of protective gear and simple bodysuits that highlight her strength and discipline.
Her simplicity is what makes her stand out on the screen. A look that specifically stood out is
when she appeared in a white cloth dress, showing a softer and more vulnerable side to her. The
dress is so easy, which is what makes it effortless. It didn’t need to be extravagant or
over-the-top. Instead it showed her humanity very well.
Lady Jessica is literally otherworldly, ascending from another planet known as Caladan.
West took inspiration from the Touareg culture in Morocco to create Lady Jessica’s looks. She
stated that she focused on their use of layers of linen and gauze, which function to repel the
strong beams of the sun. Her wardrobe matched the color schemes of the desert, featuring
light/neutral tans and browns. A trademark to her looks is writings seen all over her skin and
clothes. The writing is similar to the concept of tattoos but literally made her look as if she was
from a page of an old scripture. West took apart and reconstructed jewelry pieces with Middle
Eastern and North African origin to make them look more futuristic as well.
Dune 2 showed a spin on her character. In the first movie, Lady Jessica was seen wearing bright
yellows and oranges with very feminine drapings and headpieces, as well as long trains that
flowed in the wind. Lady Jessica also had netted and chained overlays to accessorize her
looks. In Dune 2, her looks were more neutral and sometimes more bare. It is also cool to note
the cohesion of the groups of people in the movies, as the followers of the leaders are usually
dressed to match them, whether it is the shade of color they are wearing or the armor they sport.
It gives the look of an army and contrasts the different groups of people in the film.
Sources:
1. https://variety.com/2024/artisans/news/dune-2-costumes-1950s-paris-runaways-balenciaga-1235930558/ 2.
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