Kinky Boots Costume Designer, Gregg Barnes

I was very lucky to attend a special evening at the National Arts Club featuring Kinky Boots costume designer Gregg Barnes. 

The multiple award-winning costume designer was in charge of creating fashion fantasies that not only had to wow visually, but look sexy on muscular male bodies. Some of the gorgeous costumes that did not make the cut in the final show on Broadway, as well as some drool-worthy platform boots were on display as the creator provided an insider peek into his world.

Gregg Barnes gave us some insight on the frustrations that come with working on a large theater production.  On the wall, his amazing fashion sketches for Kinky Boots were projected.  Fans of the Broadway show noted that they didn't recognize many of them and wish they had seen them.  The designer explained that as beautiful as a design can be, in the process of developing the show, many looks just don’t fit the narrative or a particular function sometimes.  It can be particularly disappointing when the actors have rehearsed and performed in a costume they love in previews, and then the higher-ups cut it from the scene.  Barnes remembered the cast actually huddled and had a cry over the loss of their favorite looks.

Kinky Boots is not the first movie to Broadway adaptation challenge for Barnes.  He previously worked on the theater costumes for Legally Blonde.  While movies can highlight important images with close-ups and focused angles, the stage does not afford that luxury.  He cited a bad review where his costumes for the “L.A. Princess” chorus were likened to New Jersey mall-rats.  Gregg said that the irony was that he actually did do that deliberately, to put enough contrast between the chorus and the lead character (who was dressed as an L.A. princess) so that the audience would always be able to notice the star first.  This is difficult when the star may not be the tallest performer or the look of the characters is all wearing bright colors.

The plot of Kinky Boots involves a drag queen seeking exotic footwear that can accommodate both his size and performance.  Ironically, this was also the reality of the challenge for this show as well.  Surprisingly, as a costume designer, Gregg Barnes admitted that he didn't know much about drag performers and found them off-putting before the show.  Upon his research, he grew to respect and admire both the large range of talents one needs to have to be a drag queen, and how the entertainers are a commentary of the times (celebrity, political, cultural, etc.) 

It was fantastic to hear the internal struggles of a very accomplished costume designer rather than the typically shallow interviews you might get in the press.  He validated all the angst and difficulties that all creatives I know face in working with dream projects so we know that none of us are immune!

National Arts Club Photos by Mariana Leung, Stage photo by Sara Krulwich/The New York Times