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Which shows or movies had a costume design budget that exceeded expectations?

Sunny Leroux

Well, well, well, my fellow movie buffs, if there's one thing that can take a movie or TV show from drab to fab, it's gotta be the costumes! I mean, seriously, can you imagine watching Game of Thrones without those gorgeous medieval outfits? Or Titanic without Rose's iconic blue dress? Never.

Now, when it comes to costume design budgets, some productions really go all out and exceed our wildest expectations. So, which shows or movies fit the bill? Let's dive in!

First up, we have the legendary Les Misérables. You might think, "Oh yeah, another period drama with corsets and frilly dresses," but let me tell you, the costume design in this movie is a whole other level of greatness. Costume designer Paco Delgado had a budget of $10 million to play with, and boy did he make it count. From Hugh Jackman's tattered prisoner look to Anne Hathaway's hauntingly beautiful Fantine garb, every outfit in this movie is a work of art. Fun fact: in order to achieve the genuine, worn-in appearance of the costumes, Delgado would bury them in his garden and let them get dirty and weathered over time. Now that's commitment.

Next, we have the gorgeous Netflix series The Crown. This show traces the life of Queen Elizabeth II from her early days on the throne to the present day, and with that comes a whole lotta costume changes. Costume designer Michele Clapton was tasked with creating over 7,000 pieces for the show, with a budget of $34 million. Yeah, you read that right - $34 million. But honestly, it shows. Every outfit is impeccably tailored to the era it represents, from the post-war austerity of the 1950s to the groovy, colorful 1970s. And let's not forget the iconic wedding dress worn by Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth, which was crafted in exacting detail to resemble the real-life gown worn by the Queen on her wedding day.

Last but certainly not least, we have the cult classic film The Fifth Element. Now, I know what you're thinking - "But that's just a sci-fi movie, how can the costumes be that special?" Oh honey, let me tell you. The costume designer for this movie, Jean-Paul Gaultier, went all out with his budget of $5 million. He crafted over 1,000 costumes for the movie, each one more eye-popping and provocative than the last. Who can forget Milla Jovovich's iconic bandage outfit, or Ruby Rhod's leopard-print jumpsuit? And let's not forget Chris Tucker's hair. The costumes in this movie are over-the-top, jaw-dropping, and just plain fun.

So there you have it, folks - three examples of shows and movies with costume design budgets that truly exceeded expectations. Whether it's a lavish period drama, a royal saga, or a campy sci-fi romp, great costumes can take a production from good to great. And as we all know, sometimes the clothes really do make the (wo)man.