A Mod inspired costume for Willy Wonka

The aim here was to create an original costume for an iconic character.  I chose Willy Wonka from Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  Already immortalised in illustration by Quentin Blake and on film played by both Gene Wilder and Johnny Depp, it was important to step away from anything that had been created before.

 

I used the written description of Wonka given by Dahl and combined it with the early 1960's Mod movement which was at it's height at the time of the book's publication, 1964.  The Mod style is very recognisable with clean, sharp lines, bold prints and colours, and rich fabrics.  The resulting costume was the very epitome of a dandy, very much Wonka's character in the book, combined with a contemporary edge.

 

The costume is sharp and striking consisting of a dress shirt, day cravat, waistcoat, drainpipe trousers, Chelsea boots, suede gloves, tail coat and top hat.  Lots of velvet and brocade were used to achieve the sumptuous chocolate wrapper feel.