Pakistani artist Misha Japanwala contributed to the costumes worn by Lupita Nyong’o in Christopher Nolan’s latest film The Odyssey, bringing her sculptural design work to the actor’s portrayal of Helen of Troy.
Nyong’o plays the queen of Sparta in the film, and Japanwala posted about her contribution on Instagram on Monday.
Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick, whose work on Nolan’s Oppenheimer earned her an Oscar nomination, told W Magazine that the team “really had to get down to the realism” of the character.
Mirojnick said that it was Nyong’o who suggested bringing Japanwala on board.
Japanwala created an asymmetrical neck and shoulder plate in bronze, which Nyong’o wore like a capelet over her gown in a scene where Helen and her husband, King Menelaus (Jon Bernthal), host Odysseus’ son Telemachus (Tom Holland) in Sparta.
Mirojnick described the piece as “a broken statue”.
The artist also created a bronze choker that Nyong’o wore with a chainmail kaftan in the scene where Helen and Menelaus bid Telemachus farewell.
Mirojnick said she was initially hesitant to ask the actor to wear the outfit because of its weight, but Nyong’o told her, “I’ve worn more pounds of Chanel pearls. I think I could do that.”
Nyong’o and Japanwala have collaborated before. The artist made the actor a custom breastplate for the 2023 Tony Awards.
Nyong’o was also a guest at Japanwala’s wedding in Karachi in 2022, and borrowed a sari and jewellery from her for the opening night of the musical version of Mira Nair’s Monsoon Wedding.
