Cosmopolitan.com - Costume Designer Eric Daman Dishes About The Clothes Behind The Carrie Diaries
Cosmo: What are your go-to stores and brands to pull from for teen Carrie's wardrobe? And why?
Eric: The clothing came from a lot of my favorite haunts in NYC: Amarcord, Beacon's Closet, Ressurrection, Frock, and Screaming Mimi's for vintage. I also relied on fast fashion shops like Top Shop, H&M, and high end stores like Saks to give the look its contemporary "aspirational authenticity" we hoped to develop. Etsy.com has also played an important role in finding vintage one-of-a-kinds from brooches to scrunchies!
Cosmo: We know the show is taking place in the 1980's. What are your favorite 80's trends and what did you make sure to steer clear of?
Eric: I was totally obsessed (and still am) with Valley girls, as well as the yuppie handbook. I think the best trend of the 80's was the stylistic freedom and originality it called for—I hope the show and teen Carrie's unique style will inspire fans to have freedom and fun with fashion. And like any trend, head to toe is a no-no—especially when it comes to neon. I love the neon trend, but I think it's best worn these days as accents on a handbag, shoe, or belt.
Eric: I draw from SATC every day, trying to create "buried treasures," or as Amy B. Harris (creator/producer/writer) calls them "Easter eggs" that hopefully will resonate with the audience as "a-ha moments," leading them to think "That's where the inspiration for the Carrie necklace came from!" (Spoiler alert: Young Carrie wears a signature 80's style "C" necklace by Alex Woo.) It's an intentional process that hopefully is nuanced enough to feel fresh and new, but integral to who Carrie is stylistically.
Eric: The vintage Scasi fuchsia with black polka dot party dress—add a black crinoline from Theory and Carrie is ready for her first night out in Manhattan!
Eric: I think the signature Mark Cross bag is an instant classic (because it already is, Grace Kelly used to carry one!). It's sophisticated but doesn't scream "I am a designer bag!" Splatter some paint on it and you have a personalized DIY original.
Eric: Fortunately there is a lot of 80s-inspired fashion trending right now, so keeping an aspirational authenticity to the look is a very realistic concept. However, a lot of 80's fashion wasn't the cutest or most flattering. But by keeping the shapes and fabrics contemporary and playing with colors and layering the looks, you'll end up with an outfit that feels very retro-modern and cool. Right now look for brightly colored, fitted blazers (with a slight shoulder pad), fair isle sweaters (fitted and not acrylic!), and lots of polka dots, hearts, and rainbow prints!
Eric: I refreshed my 80's fashion sense (having been a fashion curious teen in the 80's was an added bonus) by rewatching all of the John Hughes classics, as well as a mix of quiet Connecticut inspired hometown films like Ordinary People, and of course getting out my high school yearbooks. NYC becomes an important part of her character and style as well, so I poured through interview magazines from the era, as well as films like Liquid Sky, Slaves of New York, and Desperately Seeking Susan.
Eric: I love the silver sequin top shop dress paired with a vintage rainbow belt, crinoline, a lime leopard autumn cashmere cardigan, and neon orange Alice + Olivia pumps. It's one of the first moments where the viewers will see the teen Carrie and say, "A-ha, there's our Carrie!"
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