La Femme En Noir Debuts New Collection Inspired by ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’
Los Angeles-based apparel company and high-end Gothic fashion house Micheline Pitt Design has announced a fashion collaboration with Sony Pictures Consumer Products inspired by “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” The Fall/Winter 2023-2024 Apparel and Accessories Collection is the first-ever fashion collection for the film.
“Bram Stoker’s Dracula is truly a dream collaboration for me; I still remember seeing the film at a local movie theater for my birthday when I was a kid. It made a big impact on me. The costumes, the elaborate set pieces, the incredibly beautiful yet horrifying practical effects, I was nothing short of mesmerized,” said La Femme en Noir co-owner and designer Micheline Pitt. “Being Romanian, I have had a long obsession with vampires, especially the story of ‘Dracula,’ so getting to design a collection that is so entwined in my heritage is a unique and rare opportunity.”
The collection, inspired by the film’s costume design, will be a concentrated and smaller capsule collection focused on each garment’s couture.
“We felt this movie was a perfect project for us considering Micheline’s Romanian heritage and my East Asian culture,” said La Femme en Noir co-owner and designer Lynh Haaga. “We are excited to showcase our interpretation and hope we’ve created a unique collection with deference to the source material.”
Dracula Armor Group
La Femme En Noir has custom-designed a bustier top, pencil skirt, and skater skirt, all inspired by the intricate musculature construction of Vlad’s Order of the Dragon battle armor. Each piece of clothing is made with soft vegan leather in a colour that represents the blood he spits and craves.
As a match to the bag, they have recreated the screen-accurate 3D helmet model from the movie. The bag is made from a sturdy PVC with the musculature pattern of the film.
Crossbody Bags
The collection features two crossbody bags adorned with ominous “Dracula” gargoyle sculpture relief. This intricately designed crossbody bag is available in either black or a red quilted that matches the Dragon Armor Group. It features the monstrous Gargoyle flanked by two bloodthirsty Wolves. This sculpted item is plated with a gunmetal-toned finish, and spikes decorate the shoulder rest of the two chain straps.
Film inspired dresses
Lucy Bustier Gown in Fire Orange with Matching Cape
This dress symbolizes Lucy’s slow transition from a proper Victorian mortal to a vamp. The orange color is a striking contrast to the dark scenes of the film. The bustier was constructed with a cotton/spandex Oriental floral jacquard, placed in strategic rows under the pleated chiffon on the front and the back of the bodice. Boning throughout holds the garment’s structure, while a soft and flowy red-orange chiffon maxi skirt completes it. The dress has a dramatic, long, full-sweep cape with a collar and front spaghetti ties.
Mina Satin Dress with Bustle in Blood Red
Mina’s look from the movie inspires this lush satin dress. In the first half, her modest Victorian-style clothing is a reflection of her Victorian upbringing. This is the first time that we see her without her buttons undone as Dracula seduces her. Bold red is only seen on Mina and Dracula to symbolize their love and passion.
Scarlet Red Wrap Dress with Embroidered Order of the Dragon
One of the most iconic costumes in “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” is the scarlet red kimono-inspired robe. This sumptuous robe, as seen on the ancient Count in his castle, was a unique and inspired choice rather than the traditional black cape we’ve seen in other re-tellings. The robe represents the past’s hold on Dracula and his aversion to change in his current environment. The rich, blood-red silk is a symbol of gothic terror.
Dracula Novelty Print
For the “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” collection, La Femme En Noir has collaborated with tattoo artist and illustrator Carlos Sierra to create an original illustrated novelty print inspired by the movie. This darkly decadent toile print is painted upon a sea of black crepe fabric and features the art of Dracula as a wolf, with his battle helmet and sword, gothic crimson roses and swirls of filigree, bleeding crosses and straight razors, Lucy as a bride and the gargoyle sculpted doorknocker all strategically placed to tell the tale of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula.” The print is available as a Gothic Tales Swing Dress, button-up short-sleeve shirt, or Belladonna Maxi Dress.
Sweatshirts
Rounding out the collection are two sweatshirts: the Gargoyle Sculpture Sweatshirt, inspired by the film’s logo and poster artwork, and the “Love Never Dies” Sweatshirt, which says Dracula on the front with a dagger and the phrase “Love Never Dies” printed across the back.
This limited edition collection is set to be released during the winter and fall. For more information on the collection and pre-orders, visit https://lafemmeennoir.net/.