Mia Goth Shines in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein
When you think of Frankenstein, Mary Shelley’s terrifying monster usually springs to mind. But in Guillermo del Toro’s highly anticipated new adaptation — now streaming on Netflix from November 7 — it’s the lavish gowns and breathtaking jewelry worn by Mia Goth that truly steal the show.
The Emmy-nominated costume designer Kate Hawley is the creative force behind the film’s spectacular looks — and for her, collaborating with del Toro on his “big passion project” has been nothing short of a dream come true.
“This was Guillermo’s massive fever dream — his lifelong project,” Hawley says. “That doesn’t happen very often, when you get to work on someone’s great piece.”
A Creative Reunion Fifteen Years in the Making
Hawley first met del Toro in her native New Zealand about 15 years ago through The Lord of the Rings director and producer Peter Jackson. Since then, she’s teamed up with del Toro on the visually striking Crimson Peak and Pacific Rim. Their latest collaboration marks another milestone in a partnership built on trust, artistry, and a shared love of storytelling through design.
Victorian Romance and Vivid Color
Set between the 1830s and 1850s, the film reimagines Shelley’s 1818 Gothic masterpiece through lush color and texture. Hawley says that the costumes for Mia Goth — who portrays both Elizabeth Lavenza, Victor’s beloved, and Victor’s late mother — reflect the Victorian era’s fascination with vivid hues and nature.
“Guillermo was always clear about color,” Hawley explains. “We drew inspiration from Hammer horror films, Italian filmmaker Mario Bava, and Caravaggio’s paintings — works with a deep, dark, romantic tone.”
Dressed in Dreams — and Diamonds
In her role as Victor’s mother, Goth appears in a scarlet gown with a flowing veil, greeting her husband and young son in a hauntingly beautiful tableau. Later, as Elizabeth, she wears a powder-blue dress, topped with a feathered headdress and a rare glass scarab necklace borrowed from the Tiffany & Co. archives.
One of the standout pieces — a necklace from circa 1900 — features an estimated 40.45 carats of European-cut diamonds set in gold and platinum, an extraordinary artifact of craftsmanship and elegance.
Nearly every jewel in the film is worn by Mia Goth, whose portrayal of Elizabeth captures both vulnerability and radiance.
At the Venice Film Festival premiere, the actress continued to dazzle off-screen, appearing in a Christian Dior gown paired with a Tiffany & Co. necklace featuring gold, platinum, diamonds, and emeralds — a look that perfectly echoed the film’s blend of Gothic romance and opulent beauty.
Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein — a haunting, visually stunning retelling of the classic tale — is now streaming on Netflix as of November 7.
photo: Netflix; Tiffany & Co. Studio
