For fans of action thrillers, the John Wick franchise is a new and welcome reimagining of the genre. Stylized, moody, and aesthetically appealing, these films about a retired assassin forced back into the profession provide audiences with plenty of eye candy. The John Wick films also signal a major comeback for Keanu Reeves, who plays the title role.
In order to make John Wick as polished and stunning as possible, the film's crew includes an impressive design department – notably costume designer Luca Mosca. From Wick's iconic suits to The Bowery King's robes, Mosca is responsible for creating costumes that both blend into the film's universe and stand out on the big screen.
10 Costume Designer Luca Mosca Made More Than 50 Suits Just For Reeves's Character
In order to keep up with the face-paced narrative style of the franchise, costume designer Luca Mosca made hundreds of pre-fabricated, customized outfits actors were able to change into quickly. For John Wick alone, Mosca made over 50 suits.
Mosca's costumes for Wick are all variations on the iconic action hero suit. "The hero suit has the perfect fit, and that is the number one, the perfect one," he shared in an interview.
9 The Suits Were Altered For Specific Stunts, Most Of Which Reeves Did Himself
Most of the Wick suits designed by Mosca are all tailored to meet the needs of different stunts. Some of these suits have excess fabric, while others have extra padding.
Keanu Reeves, despite having stunt doubles on set, still completed most of his character's action sequences. The suits are also bloodied, cut, and bruised to keep up with Wick's physical state as he advances through each fight scene.
8 Most Of Wick's Suits Are Actually Dark Shades Of Gray
Wick's refined silhouette in the films is the product of Mosca's decision to design charcoal and gray suits for the character. "Sometimes the charcoal is darkened a hue or two and it becomes black or brown, a couple of tints, and it becomes a dark gray," Mosca explained.
Using charcoal instead of black allows the color of Wick's suits to adapt to the color schemes in the sets around them without losing their classic structure.
7 In Chapter 1, Wick's Look Is Bland And Simple
"I wanted to keep the outfits clean and simple," Mosca said. This choice gives the design team a relatively blank canvas to work with as the movies progress.
This choice also lines up with the film's narrative, as Chapter 1 begins with Wick stripped of all that matters to him in his life: his wife and then his dog. His journey back in the world of assassins is an austere, sad one.
6 Wick's Suits Become More Embellished With Time
Relying on dark, simple three-piece suits allows Mosca to play around with details and embellish minor aspects of Wick's look. "For example, in the second film, Keanu’s cufflinks were a vivid red — almost invisible, but an incredibly powerful detail," Mosca expounded.
These minute, yet impactful, stylistic details also enhance Wick's story as he advances through an underground network of criminals, spies, and allies.
5 Mosca Drew Inspiration From Museum Exhibits
Mosca looks beyond the scripts for the John Wick movies to find inspiration for his costumes. An eternal researcher, Mosca has perused museum exhibits and old art books to bring his costumes to life.
Without Mosca's keen eye for detail, the dignified and sleek stylings in the movie wouldn't work as well as they do. These costumes strengthen the insane world-building that evolves throughout the course of the films.
4 Halle Berry's Look In Parabellum Is Inspired By Moroccan Berbers
Halle Berry's character Sofia runs the Continential Hotel in Casablanca in Parabellum, the third film in the franchise. In order to bring the flair of this beloved Moroccan port town to life, Mosca based Sofia's look on Moroccan Berbers – indigenous, nomadic people native to Northern Africa.
While Sofia's clothing needed to suit her action-packed adventures with Wick, her outfits are still embroidered and lavish. Gold and black color combinations play heavily into Sofia's aesthetic.
3 Minimal Taping And Pining Was Used During Stunts
"We don’t like to pin or tape things, because what really makes John Wick action such a feast for the eyes is the action sequences are very organically choreographed," Mosca elaborated in an interview. This decision is another that sets the franchise apart from other films in the genre, many of which strive toward unrealistic perfection.
Welcoming clothing that actually moves with the person wearing it makes these scenes more believable and less predictable – a refreshing take on the action sequence.
2 Mosca Designed The Bowery King's Costumes After Seeing Japanese Robing Ceremonies
Laurence Fishburne's The Bowery King controls an underground crime ring that thrives in the New York City sewage and subway systems. The Bowery King and his men pose as homeless people, which helps them remain anonymous.
When he's in his lair, The Bowery King dons silk robes, robes inspired by Japanese kimonos. Mosca got the idea for this look after seeing a dressing ceremony in Japan for the Lady of the Twelve Layers.
1 The Elder's Costume Was Handmade By Mosca's Tailors
Wick comes face to face with the leader of the High Table in Parabellum. The Elder, played by Saïd Taghmaoui, lives in the African desert amongst the Tuareg people.
Traditionally, the Tuareg are known for their royal blue and black garb. Mosca decided to change this color scheme for The Elder, who wears a white tunic and a white cape. Mosca's tailors designed the costume from scratch.
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