Sharp monologue – Style

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel series, known not only for its unusual plot, but also for its stylistically adjusted images of the characters, has ended. “Kommersant Style” finds out the details.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel has captured the hearts of viewers since its release in 2017. It tells about Miriam “Midge” Meisel, who suddenly realizes that the role of a mother and a rich housewife does not suit her at all, and begins to make a career as a stand-up comedian. Despite the time (and we are talking about the 50s of the last century), she manages to impress everyone: her family, friends, colleagues (she is amazing for that, which is literally rendered in the name of the series). Joking from the stage about marriage, religion, sex, men and many other risky things, it seems, few could afford in those years. And even more so women. The last, fifth season differs from the previous ones in that it is full of nostalgic notes, references to the beginning of the story, which does not spoil it at all. The main character (played by Rachel Brosnahan) is still sharp-tongued and, as we are told literally from the first frames of the first episode, has become a world-class star of the level of Barbara Streisand or Liza Minnelli.

Stylish outfits, vintage music, New York before the era of gentrification – fans of the era of elaborate hairstyles, tight pumps and Jackie Kennedy-style outfits will definitely appreciate Maisel. The way Midge dresses is a kind of fashionable crescendo: a slight shift in emphasis from season to season symbolizes major changes in her life and career: girlish pinks and pastels give way to the wardrobe of a business and successful woman. Which includes wine, black, blue colors, textured silhouettes, a cage and elegant “adult” accessories – by the way, this does not change the character and message of the heroine at all: she is comfortable and recognizable in this development. The costume designer behind Midge’s look is Donna Zakovskaya, who won an Emmy Award for her work. She is very attentive to details and strictly observes the requirements of the time she is narrating: and if in the first seasons it was the 1950s-1960s, then in the last season she has much more stylistic possibilities, because the main character is shown at the zenith of her life. glory in different periods of life, including the 1970s and beyond, right up to zero. Here we see white trouser suits, hats (for example, one of her looks exactly repeats Bianca Jagger’s wedding dress), boho-chic dresses, and a little later – accentuated shoulders, lurex fabrics and catchy disco-era jewelry.

The male images are also quite authentic, but still perceived more as a backdrop for the brilliance of the main character: everyone in her environment is dressed in coats, raincoats, elegant gray or black suits, white shirts, wear ties and always polished shoes. However, the classic of the 1960s looked exactly like that. Yes, older characters allow themselves cardigans and vests, but it still looks rather formal. Midge’s father, Abe Weissman, played by Tony Shaloub, for example, even at home in trousers and boots, the maximum hint of a home vibe is soft sweaters, but, God forbid, no sweatpants or long sleeves.

A beautiful and historically accurate picture requires costs, and the series has become very expensive to produce – producer Amy Sherman-Palladino spoke about this. In addition, the plot itself logically came to its conclusion: the story, filmed by Amazon Studios about a woman who challenged the entertainment industry, ended like a good fairy tale with a happy ending.

Irina Kirienko