The costume design on Masters of Sex is something that gets poured over weekly here at TV Ate My Wardrobe and so I am thrilled to see Showtime produce a behind the scenes look at this department that goes beyond the usual sub-5 minute offering. Instead what they have delivered is a tour of sorts allowing costume designer Ane Crabtree the chance to showcase her work through four very different characters. Those being discussed are some of the vibrant characters who make up the supporting cast; Dr. Austin Langham (Teddy Spears), Betty (Annaleigh Ashford), Libby Masters (Caitlin Fitzgerald) and season 2 newcomer Barbara (Betsy Brandt).
Ane Crabtree is also joined by a panel of guests including Julie Ma from The Cut as they discuss why fashion from this period is revered today and who some of the influences are that shape the costuming choices for certain characters. With Betty for example (and the above shot is one of my favorite Betty looks so far) everything she wears is bold and like Marilyn Monroe she uses big clothes to hide her inner turmoil. The outfit she is wearing in the video is stunning (plus she put a bird on it) and it was made using vintage fabric with Betty in mind as she is the only character on this show who can wear something like this. With Libby it is more fashion driven from that era (such as Dior’s New Look) and Hitchcock inspired as she is the statuesque blonde.
One recurring comment is how much these actors enjoy wearing these clothes with several of them mentioning they have borrowed items; showing how current some of these pieces with recent trends. Everything they wear underneath is also made using vintage patterns as the cut/shape of the longline underwear is essential for exhibiting the correct posture of this period (I probably need that as I am currently hunched over my keyboard).
It is a fascinating look into how period costume design comes into fruition and I hope to see more of these detailed behind the scenes costume showcases.
TV Ate My Wardrobe 
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