Costume Designer Colleen Atwood Brings 'Kiss of the Spider Woman' to Life with Dazzling Wardrobe

Costume designer Colleen Atwood has brought her expertise to the new adaptation of the Broadway musical 'Kiss of the Spider Woman.' Atwood, known for her work on spectacles like 'Nine' and 'Chicago,' has created a wardrobe for the film that spans from an elite working woman's closet to movie star-worthy looks, drawing inspiration from the Golden Age of MGM musicals.

Atwood, who was familiar with the source material, has incorporated references to previous iterations of the story. For example, in one sequence, lead actress Jennifer Lopez wears a cream suit with a hat, which Atwood says is an homage to Chita Rivera's iconic costume from the original Broadway production. The designer explains that the look evolved during the filmmaking process, with the final outfit featuring just the chic jacket for easier dancing.

Atwood's designs also include a navy-blue suit with a skirt and jacket, nodding to the working-class character. She added chiffon to the hem for movement, and the jacket was loosely inspired by a photo of star Rosalind Russell. The designer's attention to detail is evident in the gold dress Ingrid dons early on, with each bead sewn on by hand and made from glass to create a shimmering, armor-like effect.

As for the finale look for Aurora's/Spider Woman's character, Atwood had been waiting for the right opportunity to use a specific fabric she had in her possession for years. The black, web-like material was given a silver base to help it pop on screen, resulting in a striking and memorable costume.