Downton Abbey Costume Critique #3

Susannah Buxton is the costume designer for the the mini series Downton Abbey. In 2011 she won an Emmy for her work in the same production and right now she is deigning the costumes for the series Christmas Special Finale.

One needs not look far to see why she has been able to gain such recognition in the industry. Buxton is able to take whatever circumstance appears in the show and creates clothing that match it perfectly. This series goes through almost everything probably, from peaceful days as a servant or a wealthy family member to battlefields of war and weddings. The characters are as varied as the occasions too. Set in 1912 after the tragic events of the Titanic, the series follows the Crawley family and their servants team as they try to live through the drama of moving into new and different times.

It must be said, that Buxton is able not only to make costumes that clearly differentiate the different classes that appear on the show, but also when necessary she is able to distinguish the traits and personalities of each character through them as well. Buxton makes sure that the strength and wit of the dowager countess reflect on her formal yet gracious clothes while capturing the cute rebelliousness of Lady Sybil in a more fashion forward look.

Furthermore, in a series that revolves around the differences between classes, costumes play an important to really carry the meaning to the viewer. Buxton makes sure that one does not only see the difference between the Crawleys and their servants, but also the differences in the hierarchy that the servants have. In theclothes one can clearly see the level of authority each character in the servants team has. Butler, housekeeper, valet, footmen, maids, cooks and assistant cooks are all dressed in their own particular way to really show us their place and obligations.

Finally as I mentioned before, this series puts the family through almost every imaginable occasion and the wardrobe follows. It can be easily said that no matter what happened, the Crawleys had something to wear to it.I close this critique with a few extraordinaire examples of the costumes that appear in Downton Abbey.

Hunting Day

Everyday Outing

Military and Nurse

Evening in London

Weddings