Tish Monaghan Costume Designer for "New Moon" talks about dressing Robert Pattinson

From EW.com
You have to immediately like a costume designer who’ll admit that she’s wearing sweatpants while chatting with you from her Vancouver home. We phoned Tish Monaghan, who took over styling duties for The Twilight Saga: New Moon and Eclipse, to talk about how Edward ended up in a suit, why Jacob’s muscles are bulging through his shirt (when he actually wears one), what department mandated that the wolf pack’s jean shorts be extra tight, and more.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Anyone who’s listened to the Twilight DVD commentary knows that Robert Pattinson wasn’t a fan of Edward’s pea coat.
TISH MONAGHAN:
He wasn’t a fan of the pea coat. He wore it in virtually every scene, and I think maybe he just got tired of it. I’m guessing. [Laughs] He just wanted a more mature look. That was part of Edward’s Grade 11 year, and now he’s getting into his graduation year, he’s in a relationship. He had worn hoodies and jeans and sneakers, and Robert, the director [Chris Weitz], and I all wanted to portray him more as a gentleman, more elegant and classic. With our vampire characters, I always went back to the time period in which they were turned to see if there’s any element I could try to simulate in contemporary clothing. He came out of the Edwardian period, around 1910. Of course, most of the gentleman from that time would be wearing suits, coats, hats, etc. We had to pick something that was iconic for the character that would suffice to be used throughout the whole film. At the very beginning of the film, he has one school outfit, and then there’s Bella’s birthday party and disaster strikes. So Edward ends up in that same costume for the remainder of the film. I was thinking of just putting him in a dress shirt and a pair of pants, but Robert wanted to be in a suit.


So I found a modern contemporary look that would be appealing to him and to the massive fan base, a very slim cut, and a fabric that to me was a bit Old World — this beautiful tweed fabric that we got out of England. It had the gray base, which is kind of essential for the Cullen characters in their cool tones, but also had little interesting flecks of blue, which is also Cullen, and a tiny little bit of rust, which I liked because Bella wears earth tones and that kinda linked her into the picture. The general texture of the suit would hold up well no matter what setting he was in: Inside the house for the party, or in the forest, or in the Volturi chamber. We had to show wear on the suit, and it’s much easier to rough up something that has texture to it than just a flat piece of wool. His pants are worn at the knees, they’re rumpled.

I don’t know if anyone’s looking at his pants when he removes his shirt in Italy.
(Kate: {blush} Emmmm...... no comment {blush})
The fans were very excited to see that, I don’t know if Robert was particularly excited to perform that in front of 1,500 people. I think it was quite hard for him to do. We originally tested Edward in a plain white shirt, as a forlorn-looking option. That is also what Robert wanted — he wanted something that would wash him out. But you need to have a color that makes you pop, and so we actually dyed the fabric this beautiful ink blue ourselves. It highlighted his vampire white skin really well. I think it’s a great moment when we see him in these clothes that he’s worn from September to May. When he goes to sacrifice himself, he’s in disrepair. Robert and Chris wanted his shirt to have a rip across the chest, so that’s what we gave him. It’s really kind of tragic to watch him take off his shirt, because he really is sacrificing himself. It looks like he’s just giving up. He’s exposing himself and he’s completely vulnerable, and he just takes his shirt off and he drops it at his feet with his eyes downcast. Then he gets attacked by Bella, who shoves him inside the doors. [Laughs] I don’t find it like a beefcake moment. It really is a moving moment, and I think Robert did a really amazing job for that scene.

The tear across the chest was to symbolize that his heart was torn out when he thought he lost Bella?
Maybe. [Laughs] They just said, “Rip it across the chest.” I said, “Are you sure? No shirt’s gonna rip like this.” And they said, “Yes.” So I did it.

Why couldn’t he remain shirtless for the indoor fight scene? Why put on the robe? Originally, the guards who grab him were supposed to be coming from the outside — that’s why they give him the robe. But the setting was changed, and they grab him on the inside. So why do they hand him this robe? Because, quite honestly, it looks very cool fighting with this long, flowing garment, and it does hide pads, protect him.
To read the parts about Jacob etc go here

39 comments:

RPLover said...

dammit, I was hoping she would say something about the wonky mipple! ;)

very interesting how she analyzes every speck of color in the fabric! I still think she seriously needs to give us a reason for those shoes, though. I'd like to know what she was thinking!! =P

17foreverlisa said...

Enjoyed this interview a lot. She gives us insight into the costuming process as well as Rob's feelings about the process (love thinking about how Rob says the word process, too).

ROB PATTINSON for Dummies said...

can she be replaced? thats my question....

the cloths in the book for the cullens, where designer, the cloths in new moon are 'rack'...

the alice in wonderland cloths on rob and kris in the 'futute scene',
are from the mind of a person really overpaid for her art...

Unknown said...

Although she really seems to put a lot of thought into her job, I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive her the red bathrobe.

Ana73 said...

ok, i didn't like that he covered himself with the robe but i think she is right it did look pretty cool in the fight scene more of the "vampire"look.

and i agree... what was she thinking of with that dress in the future scene, she could have changed their clothing and the scene would have been so much better. i thought what was kristen thinking when she put that on, she should spoke up.

AP said...
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wayne said...

"You have to immediately like a costume designer who’ll admit that she’s wearing sweatpants while chatting with you from her Vancouver home." - Perhaps the error is right there. Real fashion isn't what you wear when everybody's watching. Its what you wear at home, someone once said.

I hope that she wasn't the one dressing them up i eclipce. I wanna see the fasionistas the book claim them to be! :)

rpattzgirl survived Rob! said...

This interview explains a lot, I guess... But those ugly brown shoes were the worst.

phosphorus said...

@ rpattzgirl: Those shoes irritated me since the day the first pics of this shooting turned up.

wayne said...

.. Alltough, I did look at his pants. As the naked upperbody leads a perfect way towards the holiness, the pants got in my eyesight. The pants are not that bad, but as rpatzgirl says, those shoes are!

gracefulgrace said...

Kristen said in the twilight commentary that Bella’s clothes "are going to go through a bit of a transformation" and Catherine said "I think her stylist is going to give her a slight upgrade"

I don't think that happened her or Rob's clothes. Although I did like the outfit she ware to the movies with Jacob and Mike and I loved Edward's school clothes best of all his clothes ever.

I hated the tweed suit and the vision sequence clothes. Rob's idea of a suit was ok, but I think he would have looked so much better in a more modern style like the pleated prom suit in twilight. That was hot. Grandpa tweed Chic wasn't how I imagine Edward.

Also to say she wanted Edward to look more mature is wrong. Rob already looks older so I feel they needed to help him to look more like seventeen that a mature man.

Rrrreally love the School outfit *thud!* Would have been nicer with black shoes.

Haystackhair said...

Well I think I'm like Bella in the book. I never notice what he's wearing, ever. LOL. I'm too dazzled by the face. Now when he takes OFF what he's wearing, yeah, that I notice. hehehe

Krystle said...

@gracefulgrace
Totally agree with liking the suit concept but wish it would have been something more modern looking like the prom suit too!! That was the hottest Robward look thus far!!! They better get the wedding dress and tux right!!! *prays*

solas said...

Guess you all would not take me shopping with you! ;-) I loved the suit and loved the shoes! And I have my own fashon sense==meaning, no fashion sense in the sense of what others like--I wear what I like (jeans, trainers or hikers, shirts--usually plaid, hooded sweatshirts, jumpers) when I am in a position to do so, and design and make my own dresses and outfits when, as in most cases, I cannot stand what the fashion world dictates. So maybe it makes sense that I loved the suit and the shoes! ;-)

kat said...

Nothing she says will justify putting him in an old man suit and fugly shoes. Totally ruined the sexy, dangerous teen vampire vibe.

solas said...

ahh, Puddle, maybe you just answered why I love the suit and shoes--I am just an old soul. :-D

kat said...

LOL Solas!
Can't figure out exactly how old my soul is...

Anonymous said...

i don't understand why everyone is freaking out about this. the shoes are exactly what edward would have been wearing. he's from the edwardian period. and his outfit in alice's vision is also fitting to that time period. bella's dress isn't so great, i'll admit, but it isn't all the costume designer's fault. chris most likely advised her on what to do. and as far as the suit and the robe, they work. the suit fits edward and the robe is needed for effect.
don't be so harsh.
rob looks good in anything anyways :)

Anonymous said...

he's not supposed to look dangerous. he's a vampire but he isn't a motorcycle riding bad boy. he's supposed to look classy. like a gentleman.

Anonymous said...

I dont like how they dress Rob at all in these movie..Arent they supposed to hide their secret? I dont thin the boys from Forks are wearing suits all the time!! I speally hate the thing he wear at the very last scence..uhh..

kat said...

Thank you, barbielicius. Well said.
Yes, the Cullens try their best to blend in with the community. Wearing tweedy old man suits to high school in a small town is not blending in.

Also, Edward is supposed to look astonishingly beautiful and a tad dangerous or unsettling. No, I'm not saying he needs a leather jacket or pierced eye brows, but he does need to lose the grandpa wardrobe. How he was dressed in Twilight was fine, even if he didn't like the peacoat!

gracefulgrace said...

@Krystle
OMG! The wedding dress. Lets hope she's not the costume disigner for that. I think Edward in twilight looked 17. In the new Moon school outfit a mature 17, in the tweed grandpa fansy dress. He does look beautiful in anything. But defo not 17 in that.

gracefulgrace said...

Designer! God what's wrong with my typo's today. I have a cold :(

xoRobxo said...
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Sarah said...

If Tish Monaghan is listening she really gotta look at Claire Pettibone for the wedding dress. (romantic, lacey yet, modern) Edward... D&G suit all the way!

xoRobxo said...

Actually Edward did not wear the suit to high school. He wore it to Bella's birhtday party. I get it... he was dressing up for her. I think it was all fine. I think in the Alice vison they were going off the fact that Bella likes to read all those period type books (weathering heights, etc.). At least thats what I'm telling myself to excuse those clothes...LOL

MMc said...

Rob looks good in whatever he wears or doesn't wear!!!! That last scene where he opens his shirt and drops it........I thought was going to be so much bigger and more exciting.......but it wasn't.

skorpia said...

It makes sense to me that Edward would want to wear a suit at Bellas birthday party. In 1910 they dressed up for a dinner party. Great move Rob! I think he looks fantastic in a suit in general. Makes his shoulders wider.

solas said...

Skorpia :-) yes. :-)

skorpia said...

Im guessing what Bellas dress designer would be? Ok gals whats your pick. It has to be comfortable and simple-flowy. Monique luillar?? -hope i spelled it right.

skorpia said...

aaaah- so thats why they gave him the robe!! and the rip was explained. I was bi!chn about that. Im like -what the hell?? Thanks for the post!! I love tidbits like this!

solas said...

I hope they just look at Anne of Green Gables dvds and base her wedding dress on that! No modern make-a-name-for-yourself-no-matter-how-weird- designers. :-D I'd be glad to design it myself if anyone asks; an original SoLaS based on Ewardian beauty. :-)

crazy vamp said...

Well, I have to say (about his clothes) that I DO LOVE THE LOW PANTS!! I do, I do,... I do, I do, I do!!!!!

phosphorus said...

retrobabe: It's the colour of his shoes in combination with the rest of his clothes that just looks wrong to me.

solas said...

Phosphorus--I think if they were black, the shoes would just blend in and not be noticed; as they are, they stand out as a beautifully crafted classic pair of shoes.

skywaitress said...

I liked the beautiful suit, it was perfect for the b-day scene. However, it was all wrong for the back from Italy bedroom scene. He should have been dressed more casual and should have been lying down on the bed beside Bella, waking her up with a cool finger to her forehead! I actually liked the gray trousers with the brown shoes in the archway...at least for the few seconds I was looking at his clothes! I so hope the wedding dress in BD is a cross between old fashioned and classic. I hope the bottom of it is just as the book... an upside down calla lily, ah.. perfection!

Unknown said...

I think she really had to also take into consideration the suggestions of the director and the actor that will be wearing them himself.

I think Rob has his own understanding of what Edward should look like just like how he understands his character, but I guess he never saw that he would look much older in those suits he wanted.

In the book he was supposed to be wearing something white that's already taken off and on the floor (and he looked peaceful and beautiful)I guess they emphasized on the misery and exhaustion of Edward, although in Rob's case he doesn't need any of those effect to show how perfectly he can portray Edward's tortured condition.

Unknown said...
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jlsentangledweb said...

Now I know I have no fashion sense! I liked the suit. It was for Bella's party, after all; it wasn't for school. And the tweed probably fit in with Edward's social background in the 1900s. As for the shoes, when he started his walk, I wasn't looking down! lol

 
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