10 Years of Hamilton: The Costume Design That Changed History on Broadway

[bright music]

[transition clacking]

Hamilton musical is about creating something new

and a promise of a country

that centers on humanity.

And you see that represented

with the relationships that pass through the story.

And I think that that s why it still resonates today.

It begs those same questions

of what does it take

to create a country that prioritizes humanity?

When I reflect on the 10-year anniversary

of Hamilton being on the Broadway stage,

it moves me so deeply.

Hello.

It was important for me to create a design for Hamilton

that would be specific for Hamilton.

None of us were interested in doing a museum piece.

It turns the 18th century on its head

so that it doesn t feel beholden

to that specific period,

it becomes a Hamilton period instead.

I went about exploring both contemporary images,

fashion that you see on the street, even today,

and then also the 18th century.

And I thought, Well, the way

that they have to move through space

and the way that we see them

needs to be informed by who the performers are

and it needs to center on the performers

and that will help us

to move through this 18th-century story.

The women, when they re playing men,

they have waist coats and breaches,

and those breaches are fit like leggings,

feels very athletic.

It also has a kind of a body-conscious appeal

and keeps them sexy in a way and feminine.

So it is that nod to the 18th century,

but because it s being worn

just with a pair of breaches and boots,

it s a much more contemporary expression.

Setting it up with that contemporary difference

allows for the audiences

to focus on the emotional art

of each of the characters.

And that was a very specific intent that I had.

Hello. [laughing] Hi. [laughing]

Great to see you. It s great to see you too.

The idea of the parchment look

refers to what Hamilton is writing on.

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It was a symbol of that blank sheet of parchment

that is before any idea is born.

It also neutralizes the ensemble

so that you can t tell the principle actors

from the ensemble.

You know, they all are a band of players basically.

And then as the principal characters are revealed,

they add on a signature color

and it becomes reflective of who they are.

To have Hamilton start and finish in parchment,

it comes full circle.

You re invited to engage

with this presentation of an 18th-century story

that feels removed,

and then as you see it revealed,

I think, as an audience member,

you re drawn into it

and you go on this amazing ride.

And it s hugely embraced,

even 10 years later.

[upbeat music]

♪ What s your name, man ♪

♪ Alexander Hamilton ♪