During the peak of the eight season fantasy epic Game Of Thrones, fashion’s favourite luxury designers found themselves under the unlikely sway of the series’ mediaeval costumes.
Now, with the franchise’s successor (or precursor, depending on if you’re viewing things chronologically) only mere weeks away from it’s highly-anticipated release, it begs asking whether the upcoming show can live up to the signature style and inimitable fashion influence of its predecessor.
As we know, House Of The Dragon is set two centuries before the events of Game of Thrones, with the heirs of the dragon, house Targaryen, thrust into the spotlight as we follow the families war of succession and inevitable demise.
The original mother of dragons and breaker of chains, Daenerys Targaryen, became the mid 2010’s most unexpected style icon. With her signature platinum locks and unassumingly otherworldly desert costuming, Daenerys found herself as the muse for many a runway show.
Everyone from avant apocalypse king Rick Owens to Phoebe Philo for Celine found themselves under Khaleesi’s spell—whether this was intentional or the work of the red priestess Melisandre is still unknown.
With Daenerys’ ancestors about to take centre stage in House Of The Dragon, will their fashion live up to the Game Of Thrones’ high standard?
Below, we investigate whether House Of The Dragon will usher in a new age of fantasy core, or will Game Of Thrones fashion influence end in flames.
‘Game Of Thrones’ Influence On The Fashion Industry
If the resurgence of column dresses, faux fur accents and an almost militant , dramatic dark sense of dressing in the mid 2010’s took you as a surprise, then you clearly weren’t aware of the astute influence Game Of Thrones had over the fashion industry.
If we were to look at Daenerys alone, her evolution from desert beauty to conqueror supreme was marked by a series of muted and whimsical maxi dresses to a more refined and dominant silhouette that served as a form of armour.
Her white cape dress from the show’s fifth season was actually revealed to be a direct inspiration from a similar design by Valentino from the luxury maison’s Spring/Summer 2013 haute couture collection.
“A number of designers say that they have been inspired by the designs on the show: Rick Owens, Helmut Lang, Alberta Ferretti, for example,” Game Of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton explained to Glamour in 2019.
Of course, in the years that followed a plethora of leather, scaled and fantasy-core inspired silhouettes began to crop up from the runway and real life. And no, these looks were not just exclusive to LARP or cosplay—live action role play and costume play, respectively.
How Does ‘House Of The Dragon’ Live Up To ‘Game Of Thrones’?
For the cast of House Of The Dragon, it seems that they’re clearly taking cues from Game Of Thrones fantasy influence for their own press tour.
At the show’s world premiere, the cast clearly looked to the archives of the costume department, donning futuristic yet gothic gowns that could have easily fit into the background of Game Of Thrones.
Australian newcomer Milly Alcock, clearly took cues from mythology by donning a Greek goddess inspired plunging cream dress from Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2006 collection.
Complete with gold draping, Alcock is proving that her character Rhaenyra Targaryen is worthy of the iron throne.
Emma D’Arcy, who plays the older version of Rhaenyra opted for an oversized Vetements suit, a choice we could easily see Brienne of Tarth wear on her down days, when she wasn’t protecting Jaime Lannister of course.
Elsewhere, Emily Carey opted for a deconstructed ensemble designed by Matthew W. Williams for Givenchy.
Featuring a faux fur cropped long sleeve top, cropped bloomers and thigh high latex boots, this is what we’re picturing the hypothetical offspring of Jon Snow and Daneyrs wearing for her coronation.
So, with the House Of The Dragon’s cast cognisant of Game Of Thrones fashion influence, is this a sign that the show’s costuming will be equally influential?
As we’ve seen from the limited trailer, a crimson motif has found itself etched into every Targarayn character, and the families platinum blonde locks clearly not going anywhere, only time will tell whether the mediaeval designs will find themselves on the runway.
We can’t wait until August 22 to see whether the show’s fashion will go up in flames, or cement their legacy as another fashion triumph.
House Of The Dragon will premiere on BINGE on August. Stream all seasons of Game Of Thrones now on BINGE, live and on demand with a 14 day FREE trial. START FREE TRIAL.
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