fallenvictory:To outfit an entire fictional nation, Ruth E. Carter studied a crucial and non-histori
fallenvictory:To outfit an entire fictional nation, Ruth E. Carter studied a crucial and non-historical reference tool — a “Wakandan Bible” — which helped her map out and break down the different communities within the kingdom. “I looked at Wakanda like Manhattan,” she explained, detailing the young, “Afro-punk” student and intellectual-populated “NYU-area,” or the “Midtown” business districts or the “Columbia”-esque medical center, which also helped her determine how to differentiate the residents via dress. Wakanda’s high-tech civilization and resources include the coveted indestructible metal, vibranium, which also powers Black Panther’s supersuit. Carter also needed to incorporate Wakanda’s technological superiority into the costumes — especially when Coogler deemed one of her earlier pitches as being “too low tech.”“[So, I took] all of this design research and combining of these elements and made it forward-thinking,” she explained. “More or less, we’re paying homage to the ancient people of Africa, but we’re also showing that they are proud of their heritage and moving ahead by having more vibranium laced into the costume by their costume having a purpose — a real clear purpose.” - Interview with Ruth E. Carter, costume designer for Black Panther (2018) -- source link