**Trailer:**
Step into the enigmatic world of *Severance*, where time stands still, individuality is erased, and clothing becomes a tool of control. In this dystopian drama, employees of Lumon Industries undergo a surgical procedure to sever their work and personal lives, leaving them trapped in a sterile, timeless environment. Costume designer Sarah Edwards faced the unique challenge of creating a wardrobe that reflects this eerie, oppressive atmosphere—clothing devoid of labels, logos, or any hint of personal expression. Drawing inspiration from 1960s corporate dress codes and the uniforms of extreme religious groups, Edwards crafted a minimalist, soulless aesthetic that mirrors the characters’ loss of identity. From custom-tailored suits to scrubbed-off brand names, every detail reinforces the chilling reality of life at Lumon. Dive into a world where fashion is not just a statement but a prison, and discover how clothing can strip away individuality in the name of corporate control.
**Paraphrased Digest:**
In the dystopian series *Severance*, costume designer Sarah Edwards faced the unique challenge of creating a wardrobe that reflects the show’s timeless, oppressive setting. The employees of Lumon Industries undergo a surgical procedure that severs their work and personal lives, leaving them in a sterile environment devoid of time or individuality. Edwards aimed to design clothing that was void of any cultural or temporal markers, ensuring that the characters’ attire revealed nothing about their personalities or the outside world.
To achieve this, Edwards drew inspiration from a 1960s IBM dress code and the uniforms of extreme religious groups, crafting a minimalist, cult-like aesthetic. Men wear plain suits in neutral tones, while women don skirts, pantyhose, and sensible heels. However, finding clothing plain enough for the show proved difficult, as modern fashion often includes logos or distinctive details. As a result, Edwards and her team created custom pieces, such as Helly R’s blue skirts and Mark S.’s tailored suits, ensuring every item adhered to Lumon’s strict dress code.
Labels, logos, and graphics are strictly forbidden at Lumon, with elevators equipped to detect any external messaging. Edwards manually removed all branding from the characters’ clothing, reinforcing the oppressive, soulless nature of their environment. Unlike traditional costume design, which uses clothing to reveal character traits, Edwards’ work in *Severance* strips away individuality, reflecting the show’s themes of control and dehumanization. The result is a wardrobe that embodies “extreme minimalism”—a chilling reminder of the cost of conformity in a world where time and identity are erased.