directoire

Kwartet of Heiner Müller was the play we worked on, designing our costumes for our final presentation of this year. I designed for the two main characters, Merteuil and Valmont. Starting from the interpretation of the text we've read, I've pictured Merteuil as this old lady who lives in solitude in her rundown chateau. We're in 1815, years after the french revolution, but her mind is still set on live at court. A mind that gets triggered by the arrival of young Valmont, who is in search of the true story behind the death of his father.

Merteuil has been wearing her dress for many years, and construction and fabric have had better times. In her way, she can still maintain some dignity, but to the public it's clear that she's not the "belle of the ball" she used to be. As well in looks, as in spirit. In contrast with this, young Valmont is dressed up in latest fashion, based on the upcoming "dandyism". Focus is set on the collar with straight lining and contrasts in fabric, giving it a very immaculate, young and clean look.