In Jim Jarmusch's anthology film 'Father Mother Sister Brother,' now in theaters, a deep red color unifies the costumes across its three segments set in New York, Dublin, and Paris. Costume designer Catherine George collaborated closely with Saint Laurent to create every piece, from Tom Waits' hoodie to bespoke suits. The red motif, inspired by Jarmusch's evolving perception of color, ties together the stories of sibling relationships and family dynamics.
Jim Jarmusch's 'Father Mother Sister Brother' explores family ties through three distinct segments, each featuring adult siblings navigating interactions with parents or memories of them. The film's wardrobe, designed by Catherine George—who previously worked with Jarmusch on 'The Dead Don't Die' and 'Paterson'—centers on a crimson theme resembling a jammy merlot, which permeates the contemporary clothing of characters played by Adam Driver, Cate Blanchett, and others.
George recalls Jarmusch approaching her early: "Jim called me about the movie pretty early on. He said, 'We've got this movie, it's shooting in New York, Dublin and Paris.'" As an Irish native, she found shooting in Dublin particularly rewarding. Saint Laurent, a backer of the film, insisted on producing all items, even everyday pieces like Tom Waits' hoodie in the first segment, 'Father.' Set in rural New York, Waits portrays an eccentric, solitary dad visited by his son (Driver) and daughter (Mayim Bialik). The siblings wear conservative blazers over crimson sweaters, while Waits opts for a casual zippered hoodie with a subtle burgundy lining. Initially considering a dressing gown, George adjusted after a fitting in California: "When we arrived, he was in a hoodie... He felt more like the character."
In the Dublin-set 'Mother,' Cate Blanchett and Vicky Krieps visit their novelist mother (Charlotte Rampling). Blanchett's uptight character dons an oxford shirt over a burgundy turtleneck, signaling her buttoned-up nature. Krieps, as a free-spirited influencer, sports pink-tinted hair, a fluffy fake fur coat, and a printed red sweater. Rampling wears a burgundy coatdress inspired by a YSL jumpsuit. Rampling's character notes the color coordination: "We seem to be accidentally color-coordinated. How embarrassing!"
The Paris segment, 'Sister, Brother,' follows twins Indya Moore and Luka Sabbat as they visit their late parents' apartment. Their similar biker jackets—one classic, one fashion-oriented—reflect their psychic connection, with Moore in a red tank top. Sabbat wears a classic white T-shirt. George aged all pieces for authenticity, praising YSL's fabrics and craftsmanship: "They made beautiful pieces... their production is gorgeous."
After fantastical projects like 'Mickey 17' and 'Snowpiercer,' George appreciated blending fashion and costumes, drawing on her design training.
