Alana Morshead Knows How to Do Revenge
Let’s be real, when Netflix announces yet again another teen movie there isn't a lot of excitement surrounding its release. As of recently every teen movie is just wrong, cringey and they always miss at portraying the “youth” universe of their intended audience.
Courtesy of Teen Vogue
Don’t get me wrong, I am an absolute sucker for teen classics, and will never stop rewatching Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, The O.C and Pretty Little Liars. Even though teenagers look like they are 30 years old, they attend more parties than classes, they apparently never have to do homework, there are no parents around, every one dates everyone, murder and sex are just an everyday occurrence and of course the classic Sunday detention episode. There is just something about them that modern teen movies haven’t been able to imitate or top.
Yes, back then the discourses surrounding inclusivity, mysoginy, sexism, racism, sexual abuse, trauma, sexual orientation were not address in a proper way and even brushed off. Same discourse modern teen movies and series are slowly integrating, which is well overdue, but at times it's just cringey and too forced.
But then we get Euphoria, a series that, as hard as it can be to watch and assimilate, opens up a lot of uncomfortable truths and conversations surrounding said discourses and how they are integrated in modern adolescence culture.
Yes, not every teen movie/series has to be as blunt as Euphoria but it's more Than just the storyline and dialogue, it's about the fashion, character representation, realities surrounding teen drama and mishaps, growing pains etc.
Enter Do Revenge.
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A dark comedy inspired by dozens of cult classics centered on two teenage girls and their elusive plan to do each other’s revenge. Surprisingly it does not suck at all. It obviously has flaws but overall its dialogue is engaging as it is not generic and tacky, its dark humor is spot on , characters development isn't the typical coming of age archetype and the fashion, let's talk about the fashion.
Camp. That’s exactly what Alana Morshead costume design delivered. An obvious over-the-top, unrealistic take on teenage every day and school wear yet it represents the different aesthetics teenagers strive for.
Cami Mendes stars along with Maya Hawke as unlikely friend duo; Drea and Eleanor.
Eleanor plays what at first seems to be the awkward new girl at Rosehill High and Drea is Miss popular, Yale-wannabe alumni. Opposites who then bond over their grievances, Drea seeks retribution from her ex boyfriend who shared her sex tape and Eleanor is haunted by a rumor started by her crush. Obviously in true teen movie spirit after the plan is set comes the makeover transformation.
Eleanor introduces herself quite straightforward with her ironic t-shirts, flannel shirts and oversized v-neck sweater and lack of accesories and in that matter glam. She was bound to be the target of a fashion emergency makeover, one that would later match perfectly with her character's development and deviances.
Meanwhile, Drea embodies the success and life she dreams of through her 90’s supermodel inspired aesthetic. Morshead looked at icons like Claudia Shiffer, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford for inspiration. The references are quite obvious as they are big and dramatic like the accessories Drea uses.
Drea looks absolutely perfectly put together all the time and she did so in a very realistic way. Morshead dressed Cami’s character with only female-owned independent small brands.
Courtesy of Vogue
If Drea was 90’s supermodel chic, Eleanor was 60’s Twiggy and Goldie Hawn fever. They were never meant to become each other’s mirror image, they always kept their styles as closely true to who they were, who they thought they wanted to be and finally to who they are.
Each look is dramatic to its core and that is exactly what Morshead was aiming for, inspired by cult classics like Romy and Michele, Jawbreaker and Clueless.
Rose hill High’s uniform gives much to talk about. Inspired by South Korean school uniforms and its Easter Egg color palette, its crisp bows, colorful socks, capes, plush knits and berets highlight each student's own personality and great effort to how they present themselves.
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Just as the uniform each character looks outside campus is just as extra and fun.
As things start to unfold and go downhill from main character Drea, in a Cruel Intentions kind of way, her uniform evolves with her. She starts off as schools Queen b and Yale bound student with her bow tie tied, shirt button to perfection and with a literal cape then slowly as things get messed up she starts losing this tight and perfect fashion situation, still looking amazing.
For makeover day, Drea wore a pink houndstooth set custom made by Morshead which referenced a 1992 dress worn by Iman.
Later when the duo gets down to business Eleanor wears an adorable marigold-orient overall with matching hat from a Latinx brand called Miracle Eye. Drea wears a more femme ruffled crop lilac top from Dyspnea and yellow gingham shorts from La Veste.
As Eleanor infiltrates the popular clique we start to see her more and more comfortable in her style. As she lays her legs a top Max, more on him later, wearing gingham Charlotte Stone slides, an Abot flower print turtleneck and metallic bomber jacket by The Mighty Compnay.
Courtesy of Vogue
Morshead's use of independent and women owned brands showed her support towards small business, she worked using brands previously mentioned as well as labels like Lesjour! 3 Women, Muaves and RoseCut.
Probably one of their best looks were their look for the party, a really climatic Monet à la Romy and Michele. Making their grand entrance Drea wore a custom made Versace inspired turquoise gown by Morshead and Eleanor dazzled in an orange lame suit and a custom made orange zipper top by none other than Morshead.
Courtesy of Netflix
"The straps on that dress are actually two belts from the beauty supply store. They're like $1.50 each."
As for Max, the insufferable antagonist who prides himself on being a “good dude” but really is the definition of a misogynistic narcissista, his style as Morshead mentions is an exploration on a different representation of the male, hetero, cisgender protagonist. Drawing Bivens inspiration from Harry Styles with the pearl earring, the Gucci Teddy Bear, ruffled blushes and floral pants.
Courtesy of GQ
Morshead brought that nostalgic 90’s teen movie vibe and aesthetic and incorporated in an obvious campy way that made it feel somewhat natural and fun without being pretentious or trashy.