The creative independent movie that took a gamble on whimsical headwear

Set in the fictional medieval kingdom of Migal Bavel, the movie 100 Nights of Hero features characters speaking contemporary English while sporting high-fashion labels like Cecilie Bahnsen. Directed by Julia Jackman and adapted from Isabel Greenbergs graphic novel, the film includes a cameo from pop sensation Charli XCX. Despite its modern touches, the movie manages to evoke a convincing period atmosphere all thanks to hats.

Costume designer Susie Coulthard created a vivid variety of headwear, from silky caps to spiky designs, and even the whimsical handkerchief-like hat worn by Hero, portrayed by Emma Corrin. The hats, ranging from pilgrim styles to pillboxes, recall a time when headgear signaled social rank, wealth, and propriety, much like GPS guides do today.

The moment I read the script, I knew hats would be central, Coulthard said. Inspired by a 2006 Steven Meisel Vogue Italia editorial titled Organized Robots, she envisioned elaborate, quirky designs featuring lace, aprons, and upturned bonnets reminiscent of Amish fashion.

Collaborating with milliners Adle Mildred and Gabrielle Djanogly of Hood London, Coulthard produced 11 custom hats for the film and sourced another 30 from Etsy, religious stores, and professional costume suppliers. Highlights include black executioner-style hoods for the authoritarian Beak Brothers, biretta-style hats for gold-masked guards by Zac Dinnage, and two Meisel-inspired bonnets for Maika Monroes character, Cherry.

Cherrys two-horned bonnet symbolizes both chastity and hidden desire, drawing inspiration from the pointed butterfly hennin of the 1400s. Coulthard freely blended historical and fantastical elements, mixing Dutch master paintings with folk costumes for characters like Rosa, played by Charli XCX. Each piece was hand-stitched to evoke timelessness while allowing actors to move naturally in their outfits.

Beyond style, hats offered a practical solution for budget-conscious indie filmmaking, providing maximum visual impact near the actors faces. Shoes and boots are fleeting on screen, but hats are always noticed, Coulthard noted.

Creating the headwear came with challenges, from fitting different head shapes to coordinating colors across separate departments. Some actors faces suited the elaborate designs better than others, but Monroe and Corrin excelled. According to the designers, they truly had hat heads, making the imaginative costume vision come alive on screen.

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• The artful indie film that bet big on fanciful hats

Author: Maya Henderson
Maya Henderson is a journalist focused on technology and startups. She has experience in leading IT publications and excels at conducting interviews and creating visual content.