Fictional Style Icon: The Grandmaster

I think I’m finally answering the question that’s been dwelling on me since I started this segment: Can a character that stays in one outfit for the duration of their screen time be granted “style icon” status? Well, I’ve decided hey can when they look regal as all hell. That’s where The Grandmaster comes in.

Look, you guys: it’s no secret that we love Jeff Goldblum around here. And it certainly isn’t a secret that, amongst all the great things we got to see in Thor: Ragnarok, his performance as the ever-elusive Grandmaster shone brighter than the strobe lights inside his favorite spaceship.

Obviously, Ragnarok was tons of fun, and the costumes certainly contributed to that.

It’s safe to say the movie’s setting, the fictional planet Sakaar, had a lot to do with that. Thor: Ragnarok costume designer, Mayes C. Rubeo (Avatar, World War Z, John Carter) summed it up nicely in an interview with Fashionista:

“The aesthetic inspiration of Sakaar is just [“Thor” comic book writer and artist] Jack Kirby. You see it in the colors, in the shapes, in the fashion in the buildings — everywhere — and nothing fits straight. It’s always on an angle or on the bias or shapes of trapezoids because he was a very intelligent creative person and to create something that incredible takes a mathematical mind. Instead, in Asgard, it’s all very classic and very smooth and very earthly in terms of fashion that they have. It’s something that we relate to because it’s from mythology and from classic aesthetics. Sakaar is the opposite. Sakaar is really all about angles and incredible and odd shapes and colors.”

Everything about the Grandmaster’s look is so visually exciting because it’s, for lack of a better word, wacky. Sure, the one-sleeved look saw its heyday in the fashion world almost a decade ago, but did we ever think we’d see it on robes? (I sure didn’t!) That and the bold color palette of red, blue, and gold are enough to show that he’s a guy that certainly doesn’t mind being the center of attention. Besides, what screams, “LOOK AT ME, I’M IMPORTANT!” louder than a gold, floor-length robe?

Also, you know how I’m always talking about how much I love androgynous elements in fashion? Especially in an age where we’re finally seeing it in male characters? Look at his eyeliner! And his perfectly coordinated manicure!

While his look wasn’t exactly true to his comic book origins…

…I think it’s safe to say that the Grandmaster’s glam upgrade was well-deserved and well-appreciated.

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