Costume Designer Crafts Iconic Looks for Tessa Thompson's Manipulative Hedda Gabler

In October 2025, hair and makeup artist Sharon A. Martin revealed the creative process behind the visuals of Nia DaCosta's film "Hedda." Martin coined the phrase "classic modernity" to describe the mid-century English aristocratic world depicted in the movie, blending period elements with modern influences.

The film's costume designer, Lindsay Pugh, discussed her approach to dressing the lead characters, Hedda Gabler (played by Tessa Thompson) and Eileen Lovborg (Nina Hoss). Pugh wanted their styles to be vastly different, reflecting the emotional journey of the two women. For Eileen, Pugh had to subtly replicate a man's suit and shirt, as the character navigates a world dominated by men.

For Hedda, Pugh designed an intricate green dress that allowed the character to camouflage herself and "maneuver everything." The dress featured a silk tulle overlay and a laced top, with the perfect shade of green chosen to complement Thompson's skin tone. Martin also found the ideal red lipstick shade for Hedda, which remained flawless throughout the film.

Another key sequence in "Hedda" involved a crashing chandelier, which production designer Cara Brower and director DaCosta decided to set in the glass conservatory, rather than the originally planned ballroom or entry hall. Brower and her team carefully engineered the complex stunt to ensure the chandelier smashed "beautifully" on camera.