Wednesday Addams: the Unlikely Style Icon

When the satirical cartoonist Charles Addams was drawing his cast of aristocratic gothic misfits back in the 40s and 50s, he probably wouldn't have imagined that they would jump out from the confines of the pages of the New Yorker and become the most popular series ever on Netflix (perhaps Addams would have had an inkling as to their popularity after the global response to the TV series in the 60s?). Nevertheless, here we are, championing a satirical inversion of the 20th-century American family, consisting of Gomez and Morticia Addams, their children Wednesday and Pugsley, close family members Uncle Fester and Grandmama, their butler Lurch, Thing, and Gomez's Cousin Itt, not to mention a supporting cast of animals. 

Addams was inspired by his hometown of Westfield, New Jersey, an area full of ornate Victorian mansions and archaic graveyards, a vision perfectly extended by the makers of Wednesday, Netflix's hit series about the Addamses only daughter played by the brilliant Jenna Ortega and directed by, who else, but Tim Burton.

Carnaby Coat Black Klimt Crepe De Chine

Carnaby Coat Aubergine Cotton Velvet

Long Swing Coat Black Green Klimt Silk Velvet

This version of arch misanthrope Wednesday possesses a demonic dark humour, murderous pout, and a wardrobe that has had the fashion world gushing. At Favourbrook, we're quite partial to a hint of gothic chic, as evidenced by some of our perennial velvet coats which boast a moody and mysterious aesthetic, so we were naturally thrilled to examine the excellent styling by costume designer Colleen Atwood.

Speaking to Harper's Bazaar, Atwood said that the concept around Wednesday's style started with the little black dress. Because black can appear flat and one dimensional on screen, Atwood experimented with semi-reflective black fabrics or would use stark monochromatic contrasts such as white pointed collar shirts with frilly cuffs. While Atwood made the principle costumes herself, she also sourced a lot of 60s and 70s vintage pieces for Wednesday.

One of our favourite pieces is stunning black silk coat with delicate floral embroidery, and shoulders roped as if to look like the vaulted arches of a gothic castle. But it comes second to the magnificent black chiffon ruffled dress she wears to the ball, a piece that came courtesy of the Alaia store on Bond Street. 

Carnaby Coat Dark Grey Sonrel Silk Velvet

Carnaby Coat Black Pink Virginia Silk Jacquard

Collarless Duster Coat Black Rouppert Silk Velvet

Library Jacket Black Mercia Silk Velvet

Library Jacket Black Roosevelt Silk Velvet

Westminster Coat Black Hoffman Silk Velvet

While we may not be quite ready to don the braids, super smoky eyes and oxblood lipstick, nor engage in Wednesday cosplay, there are certainly gothic elements to Ortega's wardrobe that are timelessly chic. It also goes to show just how effective a muted colour palette can be provided one is creative with the silhouettes, shapes and fabrics. In many ways, we try to achieve all of this when creating our velvet coats, using voluminous silhouettes and interesting collar shapes in conjunction with the almost luminescent glow of the dense cotton velvet pile.