Publication Date
Spring 2025
College
O'More College of Architecture & Design
Department
Fashion Design and Merchandising
Student Level
Undergraduate
SPARK Category
Research
Faculty Advisor
Nia Allen
SPARK Session
11:45-12:45
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
The film La La Land portrays modern life in Los Angeles for struggling creatives who are navigating love and career. The film does a fantastic job of costuming and mixing contemporary and 50s fashion while showing the distinct differences between characters. We studied the methods by watching the movie and researching adequately, and once you see their difference within costuming, it really makes the film worth watching. We discovered that this unique fusion adds to the film’s romantic dilemma and serves as a narrative technique that portrays the characters and reflects their journeys through life, art, and careers.
Throughout our analysis we learned that Mia is always dressed in bright colors which is synonymous with old Hollywood glamour. These colors reflect her dreams of becoming a famous actress and her optimistic attitude. In our analysis we also learned that Sebastian wears classy and tailored pieces that show his dedication to being a jazz musician. These costumes develop throughout the film, discreetly reflecting their personal growth and the changes in their relationship dynamic.
Through this film, we discovered that costuming is vital in storytelling and character-building, it also enhances the tone and embraces the emotional depth of the characters. Recognizing these crucial details makes La La Land compelling and proves the importance of costume design in movies which can only be discovered through deep analysis and exploration.
Recommended Citation
Brenner, Lily and Hale, Conner, "Exploration of La La Land Costume Analysis" (2025). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 52.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/52
