A Stylish Spell: Agatha All Along’s Costume Design
What’s a coven without a wardrobe curated by Daniel Selon? In Marvel Television’s Agatha All Along, debuting with two episodes on September 18 on Disney+, fashion becomes more than style—it becomes a narrative tool. According to Selon, who also worked on WandaVision, the costumes are loaded with details. You might not notice everything on first viewing, but pause and zoom, and you’ll see layers of storytelling woven into every stitch.
Selon shared insights during the Hollywood premiere at the El Capitan Theatre, revealing how the costume journey starts visually for him. He imagines pieces while reading the script, sketching ideas and gathering references. From there, he collaborates with series creator and showrunner Jac Schaeffer and executive producer Mary Livanos to refine the vision.
Characters Revealed Through Fabric and Fit
The wardrobe in Agatha All Along varies from whimsical floral prints to dark, structured layers. Debra Jo Rupp’s Mrs. Hart embraces a warm, floral aesthetic, while Agatha Harkness, portrayed by Kathryn Hahn, dresses in sharp silhouettes with tailored coats. Her style signals restraint and strength, yet playful accessories—like a cowboy hat or bold cat-eye glasses—hint at her mischievous nature.
According to Selon, practicality played a major role too. Agatha’s journey on the Witches’ Road demanded wardrobe pieces that were not only magical but functional. Coats needed movement, and shirts had to keep up with the action.
In a notable basement scene, Agatha stands among her fellow witches—each uniquely styled. Patti LuPone’s Lilia Calderu wears bold mustard and blue, Sasheer Zamata’s Jennifer Kale sports soft pinks, and Mrs. Hart layers florals and a straw hat. Meanwhile, Agatha keeps to her iconic navy and white. These moments subtly show how color and cut communicate each witch’s essence.
Witches, Wardrobes, and Rivals
The series also leans into rivalries, especially between Agatha and Rio Vidal, played by Aubrey Plaza. While their tension simmers on-screen, their wardrobes battle for visual dominance. Selon asked, “How can we support Rio’s mysterious aura through her look?” His approach involved hiding details while enhancing presence, using costumes to deepen intrigue without revealing too much.
Teen, played by Joe Locke, offers a softer contrast. Selon even added personal touches to the character’s handmade sweater, reflecting backstory and emotion. Every cast member had a conversation about their wardrobe, ensuring that character intention met visual representation.
A Deep Well of Inspiration
Selon didn’t just rely on Marvel lore—though he dove into the comics as part of his process. He pulled from Norse mythology, Scandinavian witchcraft, and the silhouettes of the Salem witch trials. Nature also played a central role. Animal forms like foxes, cats, birds, and insects found their way into fabrics and forms.
For Selon, the task was clear: evolve each character’s look while staying true to their comic book origins. “We had the opportunity to expand on characters who may not have had fully fleshed-out stories in the comics and flesh out a new story,” he said. That story is told not just through spells or dialogue, but through threads and texture. Agatha All Along costume design expands the characters and completes the story.
