When you’re watching HBO’s acclaimed hit show Game of Thrones, the last thing you’re really thinking about are the wardrobes. They kind of just seamlessly fit into the narrative and scenery of the stories, very rarely shining through or making their own power statement, save for a few specific pieces—John Snow’s fur-laden cloak, Queen Cersei’s new militant-black gown, etc. However, all that changed a couple of weeks ago when viewers (and then the internet) seemed to have a field day with Euron Greyjoy’s getup.
[WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD]
For those who don’t watch the show (you should probably start), Euron Greyjoy is a villain who was introduced to us at the end of last season when he tossed his brother, then reigning king of the Iron Islands, off a dangerous footbridge in the middle of a treacherous thunderstorm. This season we were introduced to him once again when he appeared in front of Queen Cersei to pledge his loyalty (aka “bend the knee”), but what was most striking was what he appeared in.
A mix of Saint Laurent/Rick Owens sprinkled with a little Varvatos, you could have easily confused Euron’s look with that of a lead singer from an 80’s heavy metal rock band. And while the internet seemed to be a bit split—some were outraged, some were confused, and some just straight up loved it (including us), you couldn’t help but give props to, well, those designing the props and costumes.
Speaking recently to HBO, actor Pilou Asbæk, who plays Euron Greyjoy, said of the outfit, “[Costume Designer] Michele [Clapton] and I did the whole f**king rockstar look—leather pants, leather jacket, open shirt—because Euron doesn’t give a shit.”
The costume designer went into further detail by describing the Ironborn “pirate” king as “a psychopathic arse,” explaining that she “designed his new look to reflect this. The slashed leather jacket is linked to the slashed front of the Greyjoy armour, but his is methodical; repetitive. He systematically cut the tongues out of his crew, so I think he did this to his jacket himself.”
Clapton added that the look was meant to intimidate. “He wants his look to get inside Jaime’s (Queen Cersei’s brother and lover) head, to threaten him visually and physically. He’s attractive and swaggering…he is a threat.”
Indeed he is, and seeing him wreak havoc during the fiery sea battle a couple of weeks ago (“Stormborn” episode) and then taking a victory lap through a welcome parade on a horse in King’s Landing—all in that badass rockstar getup—was pretty awesome. You’ve got to hand it to Michele Clapton and the rest of her design team, as they certainly nailed the look and helped bring a welcomed dimension to Euron’s character. Of course the terrific acting by Danish actor Pilou Asbæk certainly helps too, but the outfit is truly taking on a life of its own and adding many more layers (quite literally) to his already complex persona.
