Published in Thread Magazine on Oct. 28, 2023, my first story for the largest student-led fashion magazine on Ohio University's campus presented me with the challenge of sourcing. However, through good fortune and good internet sleuthing, I found and interviewed Sharon Long, the costume designer on Hulu's hit show "The Great." This story was part of a series called Celeb Style, where writers at Thread explore celebrity fashion and pop cultures' intersection.Celeb Style: Elle Fanning as Catherine in “The Great”
Elle Fanning is no stranger to fashion in her TV and movie roles. From the southern gothic gowns of “The Beguiled” to the darkly captivating high-fashion pieces of “The Neon Demon,” Fanning has represented every dress code out there. But, nothing compares to the grandiose wardrobe she had as the larger-than-life Catherine the Great in the Hulu original series, “The Great.”
While Hulu has dubbed the show “anti-historical,” the design choices made for Fanning’s costumes were inspired by the time period. Sharon Long, the costume designer for seasons two and three of “The Great,” gave some historical insight into how the original Catherine used her royal attire for her benefit.