Costume Designer Bina Daigeler on Crafting the Wardrobe for ‘Mother Mary’

Director David Lowery has enlisted acclaimed costume designer Bina Daigeler for his upcoming film, Mother Mary. Lowery’s previous work includes The Green Knight and Peter Pan & Wendy, while Daigeler’s notable credits include Tár and the 2020 live-action adaptation of Mulan.

Design Philosophy: Emotion Through Wardrobe

Daigeler described her core design philosophy for the project as being centered on character emotion. She stated:

“For me, it was about finding ways to bring the emotions out, and translate them to the costumes.”

This approach was applied to two distinct phases in the central character's life.

Two Phases of a Character’s Journey

• Faded Fame: For scenes depicting the character in a period of diminished or "faded" fame, Daigeler aimed to create fashion-forward looks that convey the tension associated with that status.

• Early Career Prime: For flashback sequences showing the character's early success, the costumes included elaborate elements such as flowing capes, crystal-encrusted bodysuits, and halo-shaped headpieces.

Sources of Inspiration

Daigeler drew inspiration from a range of musical artists for the character's prime-era wardrobe:

• Contemporary Influences: The designer cited singers Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Dua Lipa. One source noted Beyoncé's Renaissance tour was ongoing during the design period.
• Historical Influences: Daigeler also referenced the style of 1980s-era music icon Madonna.

Regarding the distinctive headpieces, one source noted Daigeler described them as an homage to the holy figure of Christianity and as the character's signature accessory.