In the highly anticipated sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 classic, *Beetlejuice*, the protagonists find themselves trapped in the “world below”, a terrifying underground realm populated by ghosts. Here, peculiar creatures roam with severed heads or spears protruding from their chests. Their attire, conceived by costume designer Colleen Atwood, is as whimsical as their movements. “It was really fun to dress these characters by freezing the way they died,” she explains to Vogue.
Atwood, known for her blend of glamour and gothic aesthetics, didn’t work on the original *Beetlejuice*, where Aggie Guerard Rodgers designed the costumes. Perhaps that’s why she and director Tim Burton aimed to bring life to an entirely new universe that still aligns with the original film’s essence. “Tim and I have collaborated many times before. We didn’t need to discuss the costumes much. In fact, we only talked about it for five minutes, I think! It wasn’t really a topic between us. We wanted something simple, graphic, and clean.”
Atwood’s chosen pieces reference and modernize the iconic costumes from the first film, offering a blend of gothic and glamorous looks composed of tulle dresses and striped suits. “We wanted to offer an evolution from the first *Beetlejuice*, costumes that resonate with today’s audience.”
Custom-Made and Vintage
Atwood prioritized contemporary silhouettes with an eighties twist. “We stayed away from looks that were too referential of the 80s, but we added multiple nods to that era,” she explains. She customized most of the characters’ outfits, including the trio of Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), Lydia (Winona Ryder), and Delia (Catherine O’Hara). “I made 75% of the clothes, and then I bought vintage pieces. We used some jackets from Elena Dawson, a London designer, because they were both gothic and modern.”
Of course, each character possesses a unique style, as Atwood emphasizes. She revitalized the gothic and voluminous tulle dresses of Lydia Deetz. For ease, she could have chosen a runway gown (brands like Simone Rocha or Alexander McQueen perfectly match the character’s aesthetic), but she preferred to custom-design a vintage black dress for a challenge.
For Delia (Catherine O’Hara), Atwood sought out eccentricity: “Of all the characters, hers is the one whose style reminds me most of the 80s. We decided she had to stay in that style.”
For Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), the franchise’s most celebrated character, Atwood dressed him in a black-and-white suit similar to the 1988 film. While the striped pattern is almost identical, the suit’s silhouette has been revisited. “I remade it, recut it, and added a bit more punch,” Atwood explains. “Beetlejuice has more new looks; you’ll see. Michael Keaton’s favorite was the wedding tuxedo.”
Atwood also had to work on entirely new characters, such as Astrid (Jenna Ortega), Lydia’s daughter. She designed her wardrobe to align with this tortured and melancholic teenager’s personality: “We gave her a slightly grunge style,” she explains. “Astrid doesn’t want to be like her mother and her strange world at all. She loves old movies and music. I made sure her clothes reflected that.”
Among the most remarkable pieces are striped and shredded knits, along with a grunge floral dress: “I made her a dress from an old daisy print I’ve had in stock for a long time. I paired it with a denim jacket and boots.”
Finally, Atwood created a black wedding dress for Monica Bellucci’s villainous character.
A Gothic Carnival
Atwood was also tasked with designing the looks of numerous supporting characters. In one scene in the “world below”, the protagonists board the Soul Train, a train that absorbs souls. However, the looks of the characters present are not horrifying, as the scene might suggest. Atwood drew inspiration from 1970s variety shows to create the outfits. “We had fun with the colors and shapes of the 1970s.”
After seeing the film with the audience at the Venice Film Festival, Atwood confirms that die-hard fans and fashion lovers will be delighted to discover her costumes. “It was really cool to see people enjoying the movie and the costumes. I was so happy when I saw it for the first time. The goal is to have fun!” she concludes.
