The Fifth Element costumes by Jean-Paul Gaultier

Posted on July 23, 2012 by bertadp

Science fiction movies could be a costume designer’s dream, but oftentimes the scenery and special effects take precedence in futures where characters are dressed in military uniforms, shapeless robes or makeshift remnants culled from scraps of destroyed societies. The future is usually depicted as dark, and this leaves many costumers returning to the same stale ideas over and over.

But when Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element premiered in 1997, audiences were not treated to a future costumed as a drab dystopia, but rather in the vibrant imagination of French designer Jean-Paul Gaultier. Exaggerated military silhouettes, sculpted architectural details, boudoir-inspired garb and more rubber than a tire factory help give the movie its comic-book look. In total, Gaultier produced 954 costumes and was on set to inspect each and every extra before they walked in front of the camera.