Six The Musical Costumes Explained: Meanings Behind Each Costume

If you’re a fan of Six the Musical, you know that the costumes are just as exciting as the songs. Designed by Gabriella Slade, these outfits mix history with modern fashion to show off each queen’s personality and story.

In this blog post, we’ll break down the symbolism and style behind each costume, and how they add to the musical’s story.

Key Takeaways

• Historical and Modern Fashion Mix: The costumes in Six the Musical blend Tudor history with modern fashion, creating a unique style that highlights each queen’s personality and story. This fusion helps make the musical visually engaging and relevant for today’s audience.
• Symbolism in Costume Design: Each queen’s outfit in Six the Musical is packed with symbols reflecting her story. For instance, Catherine of Aragon’s gold costume signifies royalty and resilience, while Anne Boleyn’s green attire nods to the famous ‘Greensleeves’ poem and her turbulent life.
• Pop Culture References: The costumes draw inspiration from contemporary pop stars like Beyoncé and Ariana Grande, making the historical figures more relatable. This clever use of modern influences helps bridge the gap between the 16th century and today, making the musical appealing to a wider audience.

Six the Musical Costumes

Gabriella Slade, the costume designer for Six the Musical, is known for her creativity and flair in the theatre world. Her work on this musical really shows off her talent for mixing the old and the new. She uses historical influences like portraits, architecture, and stained glass, combined with modern influences from stars like Beyoncé.

The result is a fantastic blend of Tudor and punk styles. The costumes are a vibrant mix of Tudor luxury and edgy fashion, matching the musical’s mix of history and pop music. This unique style helps set the mood, pulling the audience into a world where the past meets the present.

Each queen’s outfit is carefully designed to match her story and personality. For example, Catherine of Aragon’s costume has regal gold elements, while Anne Boleyn’s green outfit is full of meaningful symbols. These costumes don’t just look great, they help tell each queen’s story and make the characters come alive.

Slade’s skill in combining historical and modern styles is truly impressive. She makes sure the costumes are not only beautiful but also full of symbolism and historical meaning. This approach turns Six the Musical into a visual and emotional treat, where every detail, from the gold studs to the puffed sleeves, adds to the story.

Catherine of Aragon

Catherine of Aragon’s costume in Six the Musical is all about showing off her royal status and strength. She wears gold, which makes sense because gold is often linked with royalty and power. Plus, her 24-year marriage to Henry VIII is kind of like gold being 24 carats – super valuable!

Her outfit has black and gold checks, a new peplum layer, and long sleeves, making her look every bit the queen. The puffed sleeves are especially cool because they look like the ones Henry VIII used to wear, suggesting she inherited some of his stuff when he died. This little detail hints at her resilience and the tricky power games she had to play during her life.

These features underline her role as the real Queen Catherine, adding a touch of historical accuracy. Through these thoughtful design choices, her costume tells a story of strength, endurance, and royal dignity.

Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn’s costume in Six the Musical is packed with meaning and style. Her green checkered top and skirt are a nod to the famous poem ‘Greensleeves,’ which many believe was written about her by Henry VIII.

In fact, Henry VIII wrote the song ‘Greensleeves’ for Anne, highlighting the dramatic and romantic aspects of their historic relationship. The green colour not only ties her to this historical tale but also represents the envy and drama that followed her throughout her life.

One of the standout features of Anne’s outfit is the choker with the ‘B’ initial. This necklace is a replica of the one the real Anne Boleyn wore and is more than just a piece of jewellery. It symbolises her tragic end and serves as a reminder of the dangerous life at the Tudor court.

Anne’s hair is styled into two space buns, giving her a fun and modern look. This hairstyle contrasts with her serious historical image, showing the blend of old and new that Six the Musical is all about. It’s a clever way to mix history with today’s fashion, making Anne’s character both relatable and memorable.

Jane Seymour

Jane Seymour’s costume in Six the Musical is all about purity and modesty. Jane Seymour’s costume is inspired by Tudor architecture to reflect her traditional beliefs and reserved nature. The design is a perfect mix of historical accuracy and symbolism, capturing the essence of the era she lived in.

The white corset at the centre of Jane’s outfit symbolises purity and innocence. It’s paired with a black-rimmed dress, knee-length skirt, and long sleeves, which all come together to show her modesty and traditional values. This look really fits her reputation as the gentle and demure wife of Henry VIII.

For the Broadway version, Jane’s costume got a few updates. They added a new peplum to extend her top and some diagonal black stripes, giving it a modern twist while keeping the core elements intact. These changes keep the costume fresh and relevant, making sure it resonates with new audiences.

Anne of Cleves

Anne of Cleves’ costume in Six the Musical is all about showing her strength, determination, and independence. Her Broadway outfit is super eye-catching with a sparkly red leotard, a short, puffy red-and-black jacket, and matching shorts. The red colour really stands out and symbolises power, passion, and energy.

One of the coolest parts of her costume is the chains on her shorts. They aren’t just for decoration; they represent her faith and strength, showing the tough times she went through. The fact that she and Catherine Parr are the only queens not to wear skirts shows their freedom and survival beyond their marriages to Henry VIII.

Anne’s look also includes a spiky crown and long armbands, making her look even more regal and strong. The shorts instead of a skirt, much like Catherine Parr, highlight her independence and survival beyond Henry’s influence. This choice makes her unique among the queens.

Her outfit also features a red top with silver studs, a mini faux corset, and thigh-high black boots with studs. These modern touches add a cool and edgy vibe to her historical character. Overall, Anne of Cleves’ costume tells a story of strength, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of a queen who outlived her dramatic marriage to Henry VIII.

Katherine Howard

Katherine Howard’s costume in Six the Musical is a prime example of queens outfits that reflect royal identity and personal attributes. It really shows off her youth, naivety, and the rough times she went through.

The pink parts of her outfit are a clear nod to her young age and innocence. This playful and youthful vibe is highlighted by details like long sleeves that give a hint of modesty while still being fun.

The see-through parts of her costume represent how she was objectified, with people focusing more on her looks than who she really was. These transparent elements are a powerful reminder of the shallow judgments she faced, adding depth to her character’s story.

Katherine’s look also borrows from modern pop stars like Ariana Grande and Britney Spears, giving her a fresh, current feel. The high-neck costume and choker are symbols of her tragic end, similar to Anne Boleyn’s fate. Through these design choices, her costume tells a story of lost innocence and the tough life at the Tudor court.

Catherine Parr

Catherine Parr’s costume in Six the Musical really shows off her wisdom, intelligence, and feminist beliefs. Anne’s dress, with its intricate beading and historical silhouette, serves as a contrast to Catherine’s modern attire, emphasizing the evolution of female representation.

She wears a blue jumpsuit that stands out because it’s practical and modern, showing her smart and adaptable personality. This outfit makes her different from the other queens and highlights her unique story and contributions to history.

Her trousers are a big part of her look, symbolising her strength and feminist stance. Unlike the other queens who wear skirts, her trousers show how practical and flexible she was, which helped her survive her marriage to Henry VIII and thrive afterwards. Catherine’s costume is a visual reminder of her intelligence and the important role she played in history.

The blue jumpsuit also highlights her wisdom and her role as a promoter of female empowerment. This modern twist on historical fashion makes her story relevant today, making her character relatable and inspiring for everyone watching.

Ladies in Waiting

The Ladies in Waiting costumes in Six the Musical are a fantastic mix of historical and modern fashion. The pearl headbands they wear look a lot like the French hoods from the Tudor times, giving a nod to history. These headbands add a touch of elegance and authenticity to their outfits.

The Ladies in Waiting wear black outfits decorated with pearls and round studs. This look strikes a balance between staying true to history and adding a bit of modern flair. Their costumes are designed to complement the queens without stealing the spotlight, creating a unified and stylish look for the show. This clever blend of old and new makes sure the supporting characters are both historically accurate and visually interesting.

Overall

The costumes in Six the Musical aren’t just pretty clothes; they’re a key part of the story. Each queen’s outfit reflects her personality, status, and history, blending old and new styles to create something really special.

From Catherine of Aragon’s royal golds to Anne Boleyn’s meaningful greens, and from Jane Seymour’s simple whites to Anne of Cleves’ bold reds, every costume tells a different story.

Gabriella Slade’s amazing costume designs make sure Six the Musical is not only a treat for the eyes but also a great way to learn about history. As you watch the queens perform, you’ll see how their outfits bring their stories to life, making history fun and interesting.

FAQs

Who designed the costumes for Six the Musical?

The costumes for Six the Musical were designed by Gabriella Slade. She’s amazing at mixing old-school historical styles with cool modern fashion.

What is the significance of the gold elements in Catherine of Aragon’s costume?

The gold in Catherine of Aragon’s costume shows off her royal status and her 24-year marriage to Henry VIII. Gold is super fancy and it’s a metal of 24 carats, which ties in perfectly.

How do the costumes of the Ladies in Waiting merge historical and contemporary fashion?

The Ladies in Waiting costumes mix history with today’s fashion. They wear pearl headbands that look like old French hoods and modern black outfits with pearls and round studs. It’s a great blend of old and new.

How do pop culture references enhance Six the Musical?

Pop culture references in Six the Musical, like those inspired by Beyoncé and Ariana Grande, make the show more relatable and fun for today’s audience. It gives a modern twist to the historical story.

What changes were made to the costumes for the Broadway transfer of Six the Musical?

When Six the Musical moved to Broadway, the costumes got some cool updates like studded boots and earrings with Roman numerals. These details made the outfits look even more modern and edgy