How Game of Thrones Changed the Way I Design Fantasy Costumes

People often ask me where I find inspiration for my fantasy costumes.

Sometimes it comes from history. Sometimes from nature. Sometimes from paintings, old castles or medieval manuscripts. And sometimes it comes from unexpected places.

One of those places is Game of Thrones.

To be honest, I never felt I had to watch every popular television series. As an adult, I have always preferred creating things over spending hours in front of a screen.

Years ago, however, my children convinced me to give Game of Thrones a chance.

At first, I only watched with half an eye.

Then something happened.

After two episodes, I found myself paying more attention. Of course, the costumes immediately caught my eye. They always do. But slowly, I also became interested in the characters, the politics, the families and the different cultures that existed within this fantasy world.

The better I understood the characters, the more fascinating their costumes became.

That is when I realised something that I still think about today.

The costumes were not simply beautiful.

They were telling the story.

Costumes That Speak Without Words

One of the reasons I admire the costume design so much is that every kingdom has its own visual language.

Without anyone explaining it, you immediately understand where a character belongs.

The North feels cold, practical and strong. Heavy wool, thick furs, leather and muted colours protect the characters against snow and harsh weather.

King's Landing is completely different. Rich velvets, brocades, embroidery and luxurious fabrics show wealth, power and political ambition.

Across the Narrow Sea, we see lighter fabrics, flowing silhouettes and influences from ancient cultures and warm climates.

Every stitch helps to build the world.

As a costume maker, I absolutely love that level of detail.

The Fabrics Behind the Fantasy

Many people think fantasy costumes are made from exotic materials that only exist in films.

In reality, the costume department used many traditional textiles.

Wool was one of the most important fabrics because it gives texture and naturally looks historical.

Leather appeared everywhere—not only in armour but also in belts, corsets, gloves, boots and protective layers.

Linen was often used for shirts and undergarments.

Velvet and brocade were reserved for royalty and noble families.

Silk added movement and elegance to queens and ladies of the court.

Many fabrics were hand-dyed, distressed, embroidered or layered to make them look as if they had lived an entire lifetime.

Nothing looked brand new.

That is one of the biggest lessons I learned from watching the series.

Real fantasy does not look perfect.

It looks lived in.

Strong Women Without Losing Their Femininity

Perhaps my favourite part of the costume design is the way it presents powerful women.

Too often, fantasy either dresses women in impractical armour or makes them look almost masculine to show strength.

Game of Thrones found a different balance.

The women remain elegant.

They remain feminine.

But they also look capable.

Confident.

Dangerous.

Think about the contrast between long blonde hair and dark leather.

Soft fabrics combined with heavy belts.

Beautiful embroidery next to practical boots.

Nothing feels ordinary.

Nothing feels exaggerated.

The costumes quietly say:

"I know exactly who I am."

That message inspires me every time I sit behind my sewing machine.

Costumes That Grow With the Characters

One detail I especially admire is how the costumes change as the characters develop.

A frightened young girl dresses very differently from the woman she later becomes.

A queen who gains confidence gradually wears stronger silhouettes, darker colours or richer fabrics.

Some characters slowly begin to wear details borrowed from people they admire or from cultures they have embraced.

The clothing becomes part of their journey.

As a costume designer myself, I find this incredibly inspiring.

Costumes are never just decoration.

They become another voice in the story.

My Own Fantasy Cape

When I created this cape, Game of Thrones was certainly somewhere in the back of my mind.

Not because I wanted to recreate a costume from the series.

Far from it.

I wanted to capture a feeling.

A feeling of strength.

Adventure.

Royal elegance.

The warm gold and brown colours remind me of old kingdoms, ancient forests and forgotten castles.

The rich textures create depth.

The shape gives presence.

It feels strong enough for battle, yet elegant enough for a queen.

This is not a costume that belongs to one specific character.

Instead, it could belong to many.

Perhaps a queen.

A guardian.

A ranger.

A warrior.

A wise traveller.

Or someone whose story has not yet been written.

That is exactly what I love about fantasy.

It leaves room for imagination.

From Westeros to Pandora

Recently, ChatGPT placed this cape into an Avatar-inspired fantasy scene for me.

To my surprise, it fitted perfectly.

That made me smile.

Although Game of Thrones and Avatar are completely different worlds, they share something important.

Good costume design feels believable.

It tells us something about the world and the people who live there.

When a design is strong enough, it can travel from one fantasy universe to another.

What Story Do You See?

Every costume tells a story.

But the most beautiful stories are not the ones I imagine.

They are the ones you create.

When you look at this cape, who do you see wearing it?

A queen defending her kingdom?

A fearless huntress?

A mysterious traveller?

A powerful gentleman?

Or perhaps someone entirely different.

Whatever character comes to your mind, I hope this cape gives you exactly what I hoped it would.

Confidence.

Presence.

Elegance.

Strength.

The feeling that you have just stepped into your own fantasy world—and that everyone around you knows they are looking at someone who should never be underestimated.