Meet the Designers Behind Your Favorite Celebrity Costumes
Celebrities’ fascination with Halloween is well-documented, but their creative costumes wouldn’t be possible without a team behind the scenes. Stars aren’t heading over to Party City in search of a good get up, instead they’re enlisting the talents of designers who specialize in bringing their most elaborate requests to life. This year, designers Bryan Hearns, Alejandro Peraza of Alejandro Collection, and Laura Pulice of Vex Latex were responsible for several of the holiday’s most talked-about outfits. Whether they were transforming Kim Kardashian West into Tiger King star Carole Baskin or creating a 2020 version of the genie Christina Aguilera sang about, the group delivered surreal transformations and outside the box ideas.
Here, they guide Vogue through the thought process behind some of those impressive Halloween fashions.
Kim Kardashian West as Carole Baskin by Alejandro Couture
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To Instagram viewers, Kim Kardashian West’s Carole Baskin costume looked straightforward, but for Alejandro Collection designer Alejandro Peraza, replicating Carole Baskin’s signature cat-themed look was a painstaking process. Intent on creating a chic outfit despite the source material, Peraza and Kardashian West s stylist Danielle Levi, went the extra mile. “The creation of Kim K, Jonathan, and the kids’ costumes was tedious,” he admits. “We searched for the perfect fabrications, trims, and fur to create the elevated version of the Tiger King phenom.” Recreating Baskin s flower crown required real blooms fresh from the florist, while her leopard spots and denim were updated with luxe fabrics and crystal detailing. “We draped the blouse perfectly in a beautiful satin charmeuse, but wanted to make it look casual and effortless,” says Peraza “The jeans were customized and embellished by hand to resemble Carole’s.”
No Tiger King tribute would be complete without big cats, and Kardashian West brought her children into the fun with costumes and face paint. North, Saint, and Chicago’s pint-sized playsuits were given a kid-friendly touch thanks to plush faux pelts. “We selected the perfect lightweight fur for the four kids to wear and play around in as we knew they would,” says Peraza. “We even stuffed the tails to give a realistic movement and flair.”
As Joe Exotic, Cheban transformed into the series’s titular antihero with a mullet wig and fake mustache. Exotic’s sequin- and pattern-heavy wardrobe is a far cry from Cheban’s usual attire, but Peraza created the illusion by using a tricky material to great effect. “We created a replica of the dress shirt in a beaded fabric that broke a dozen needles,” he admits. “But it was worth it in the end. The biggest surprise is that every project comes with a new process or obstacle to face,” says Peraza. “[We are] designing for clients who can have anything their hearts desire and we aim to outdo ourselves each time.”