Daisy Jones – The Fresh Face of Bohemian Style for Gen Z.

Daisy Jones and the Six, the much-anticipated TV series of 2024, has finally made its debut on Amazon Prime Video. Adapted from Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel of the same name, the show immerses us in the world of The Six, a rock band navigating the dynamic music scene of 1970s Los Angeles. Beyond its captivating music and compelling narrative, the series thrusts 70s fashion into the spotlight, turning it into a central element of the show’s success.

Taking us on a sartorial journey through the disco era, 70s fashion becomes a star in its own right, embodying an era of liberation, opulence, and uninhibited experimentation. Daisy Jones, portrayed by the captivating Riley Keough, has emerged as a style icon for the Gen Z audience, enchanting them with her effortlessly chic and bohemian wardrobe.

Source: TV Insider

Let’s delve into the creative realm of Denise Wingate, the visionary behind the costumes, and uncover the magic that transformed Daisy Jones from a character on the pages to a visually stunning presence on screen!

Starting from the Pages

Wingate and her team set out to preserve the essence of each character as authentically as possible. Daisy, as portrayed in the novel, is adorned with signature elements such as bracelets, round earrings, and a penchant for menswear-inspired outfits. “There are moments where Daisy walks into the studio wearing a men’s shirt and cowboy boots, and those images are indispensable to the series,” emphasized Wingate, highlighting her commitment to staying true to the character’s literary origins.

Source: Lacey Terrel

The unexpected hiatus caused by COVID, spanning over two years, provided Wingate with an unforeseen luxury—additional time to meticulously craft Daisy’s visual identity. Surrounding herself with photos and mood boards, she transformed the workspace into a haven of inspiration. “With only six weeks of preparation, the show wouldn’t have resonated as authentically. Riley is incredibly laid-back and comfortable. She wants to infuse her unique style and sensibility into Daisy, and my photos provided an excellent starting point,” shared Wingate.

Vintage Wardrobe Resplendent with Vibes

In Daisy’s wardrobe tapestry, Wingate wove a tale of eclectic freedom. Beyond the wide-leg trousers and sassy shorts, Daisy’s closet unraveled a trove of boho treasures—bell-sleeved tops, cinched blouses, crop tops, and even loungewear. Yet, Wingate’s creative genius extended beyond the confines of the 70s.

Source: Lacey Terrel

“Hippies in the 70s were all about donning vintage pieces. So, I went on a quest for velvet items dating back to the 1920s-30s. They exuded a beautifully worn authenticity when worn by the actors,” Wingate shared, reflecting on the quest for timeless elegance. In a poignant scene, Daisy reunites with her friend Simone, draped in a nightgown crafted from 1920s velvet. “That gown was a spectacle. Torn along the back, we had to resort to tape and strategically conceal the damage with hair.”

Wingate revealed that Daisy and the ensemble cast underwent about 100 wardrobe changes, predominantly adorned in vintage ensembles. The prolonged production timeline turned Wingate into a seasoned explorer, navigating costume rental havens, scouring online treasure troves, and combing through weekend flea markets for an entire year. The objective was clear—to infuse a sense of temporal authenticity into every garment while injecting a dash of modern flair.

Denise Wingate at a flea market (Photo: Denise Wingate)

A hurdle Wingate gracefully overcame was the meticulous tracking of character metamorphoses. This demanded a clever choreography of costumes seamlessly pirouetting through different scenes. “With a multitude of characters weaving in and out of scenes, I often resorted to photographing them, snipping them out, and transforming them into paper dolls. These were then affixed to a grand board, allowing me to rearrange them dynamically and envisage their collective impact in the frame.”

Feathered Robes – Daisy’s Sartorial Armor

A stroll down the groovy memory lane would be incomplete without a nod to the feathered robe, an emblematic garment of the 70s. Wingate cherry-picked standout designs, some with roots tracing back to the 1920s. In one mesmerizing scene, Daisy graces the studio swathed in a marabou feather robe, a rental from Western Costume Company in Los Angeles. Later, during a press conference, she enchants in a green suede robe from Palace Costume, a relic from the 1970s.

Source: Lacey Terrel

“Locating these robes was akin to a needle-in-a-haystack quest. It may sound peculiar, but to me, they were Daisy’s armor. She drapes herself in them whenever she senses abandonment or seeks to create a palpable distance from Billy,” Wingate confided.

On the flip side, Billy, portrayed by Sam Claflin, the charismatic frontman of the band, oscillates between denim jackets and leather coats. “For Sam, I’d joke, ‘Apologies, another leather jacket for him,’ since everyone else reveled in mismatched attire. Even the band’s drummer, Warren, strutted about in a fox fur coat,” Wingate added with a laugh.

Source: Lacey Terrel

In a delightful twist, Wingate collaborated with Love Melody, a design virtuoso specializing in costumes for musicians of the 60s and 70s. The collaboration bore fruit in the form of a custom denim jacket for Riley Keough. Love Melody, known for designing jumpsuits for Riley Keough’s grandfather—none other than the Rock & Roll King, Elvis Presley—added a touch of familial musical legacy to Daisy’s eclectic wardrobe.

Source: Lacey Terrel

Daisy Jones and the Six isn’t just a musical odyssey; it’s a sartorial voyage back to the glory days of 70s fashion, where every outfit tells a story, and each garment is a brushstroke painting the canvas of Daisy’s vibrant and enigmatic character.