From Vintage Levi’s to Playing Cards: Unveiling the Evolution of ‘Hacks’ Costume Design

The fifth and final season of HBO’s hit series ‘Hacks’ may have marked the end of Deborah Vance’s (Jean Smart) journey, but it was also a testament to the growth and evolution of her protégée, Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder). As costume designer Kathleen Felix-Hager shares in this exclusive interview, Ava’s wardrobe was a reflection of her character’s transformation from a young, insecure writer to a confident and sophisticated individual.

Felix-Hager explains that Ava’s style evolution was a gradual process, influenced by her experiences and lessons learned from Deborah. ‘Ava’s wardrobe became more sophisticated, incorporating pieces that she had learned from Deborah,’ she says. ‘She started to buy more investment pieces, and she began to style herself in a more grown-up way.’

One of the most memorable fashion moments in the series was the episode 3 premiere, where Deborah Vance wore a dress made entirely from playing cards. Felix-Hager shares the story behind this iconic look, which was constructed in three pieces using real playing cards and took months to complete. ‘It was a very specific request from the showrunners,’ she recalls. ‘They wanted the dress to be literally made of playing cards, so I had to interpret that and come up with a design that would work.’

The costume designer also talks about the challenges of styling Christopher Briney’s character, Nico Hayes, who appeared in several episodes of the series. ‘He was lovely to work with,’ she says. ‘We had to create his tattoos, which added an extra layer of detail to his costume design.’

Ava’s wardrobe in the finale episode was a reflection of her growth and confidence, with the character sporting a range of outfits that showcased her new persona. ‘Ava was a chameleon, and she liked to do things that we didn’t expect,’ Felix-Hager says. ‘She had a lot of different evolutions in her wardrobe, and it was a fun challenge to try and capture that on screen.’

Felix-Hager’s Emmy-nominated episode, ‘No New Tricks,’ was a testament to the power of costume design in telling the story of the characters. ‘It was a very big episode in scope for us,’ she says. ‘We had a lot of different elements to consider, from the card dress to the background decorations.’

Throughout the interview, Felix-Hager shares her insights and expertise on costume design, providing a fascinating glimpse into the world of ‘Hacks’ and the creative process behind its iconic looks.

From vintage Levi’s to playing cards, the costume design in ‘Hacks’ was a reflection of the characters’ growth and evolution. As Felix-Hager shares in this exclusive interview, the process of creating the show’s iconic looks was a labor of love that required patience, creativity, and attention to detail.

Felix-Hager’s passion for costume design shines through in every aspect of her work, from the intricate details of the card dress to the subtle nuances of Ava’s wardrobe. As the series comes to a close, it’s clear that the costume design played a crucial role in bringing the characters to life and telling their story.