17TH CENTURY PERIOD DRAMA – SET 1633
THE MUSKETEERS
Series 3 · BBC · Costume Designer
DIRECTOR — Andy Hay, Roger Goldby, Nicholas Renton, Susan Tully, Udayan Prasad
PRODUCER — Matthew Bird
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS — Jessica Pope, Adrian Hodges, Simon Allen, Simon J. Ashford
SERIES TRAILER
THE DESIGN
Set in France in 1633, Series 3 of The Musketeers takes place four years after the events of Series 2, with the Musketeers returning from war. I was tasked with redesigning their individual uniforms to reflect the passage of time, their experiences and the evolution of their characters, while considering the established visual identity of the series.
My approach drew on an eclectic range of influences extending far beyond the seventeenth century. Historical costume research was combined with references from architecture, fashion, sportswear and, particularly, armour. Through Hybrid Design, I explored unexpected combinations of form, construction, materials and silhouette to create a distinctive aesthetic that felt rooted in the period while possessing a bold, contemporary sensibility.
Symbolism was woven throughout the designs, with motifs, decorative details and armour-inspired elements expressing character, allegiance, status and identity. Extensive original costume construction and bespoke detailing helped create a richly layered visual world, balancing the physical demands of an action drama with strong, individual characterisation.
“With hints of the steampunk genre, the costume design is fabulous.”
– Rissi JC · RissiWrites · 2 January 2017
“I love all the costumes! We’ve been so lucky with designers – first Phoebe then Hayley. Amazing!”
– Simon Allen · SpoilerTV, interview with Simon Allen and Simon J Ashford · May 2016
