Behind the seams: Alex Bovaird’s creative process
Alex Bovaird, the acclaimed costume designer behind HBO’s The White Lotus, brings a distinctive blend of storytelling and sartorial flair to her work. Her creative process begins long before the cameras roll, with deep dives into character development, script analysis, and cultural context. For Bovaird, costumes are more than just clothing—they are visual cues that reveal a character’s background, emotional state, and evolution throughout the narrative.
In preparation for The White Lotus, Bovaird collaborates closely with directors, writers, and actors to ensure that each wardrobe choice aligns with the character’s arc and the show’s tone. She often creates mood boards and draws inspiration from real-life fashion, travel photography, and vintage magazines. Her approach is both intuitive and research-driven, allowing her to craft looks that feel authentic and immersive.
One of the hallmarks of Bovaird’s process is her attention to detail. Whether it’s selecting the perfect fabric that reflects the tropical setting of Hawaii or sourcing accessories that hint at a character’s hidden motivations, every element is meticulously considered. She often works with local artisans and designers to incorporate regional aesthetics, adding layers of authenticity to the visual storytelling.
During the Fashion In Focus event at SeriesFest, Bovaird shared anecdotes about sourcing unique pieces and the challenges of dressing characters in a way that feels both aspirational and grounded. She emphasised the importance of collaboration and adaptability, especially when working on location or under tight production schedules. Her insights offered a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes artistry that shapes some of television’s most iconic looks.
Immersive style: highlights from the Fashion In Focus showcase
Stepping into the Fashion In Focus showcase at SeriesFest was like entering a living, breathing mood board curated by Alex Bovaird herself. The immersive experience transported attendees into the vibrant, sun-drenched world of The White Lotus, with curated installations that mirrored the show’s eclectic and luxurious aesthetic. Mannequins dressed in original costumes stood against backdrops inspired by the series’ exotic locales, allowing guests to appreciate the intricate textures, colour palettes, and styling choices up close.
One of the standout features of the event was a walk-through exhibit that recreated key scenes from the show using costume vignettes. Each display was accompanied by behind-the-scenes notes from Bovaird, offering context on how specific wardrobe pieces were chosen to reflect a character’s psychological state or social status. For example, Tanya’s flowing kaftans and oversized sunglasses were juxtaposed with Portia’s chaotic layering and Gen Z streetwear, highlighting the generational and emotional contrasts between characters.
Interactive elements added a dynamic layer to the showcase. Attendees could explore fabric swatches, try on replica accessories, and even step into a digital fitting room that used augmented reality to simulate how certain outfits would look on them. This hands-on approach allowed fashion enthusiasts and television fans alike to engage with costume design in a tactile and personal way.
Live panels and Q&A sessions punctuated the event, with Bovaird and her team discussing the challenges of sourcing garments in remote locations and the creative decisions behind each look. Australian attendees were particularly intrigued by the use of resort wear and tropical prints, which resonated with the country’s own coastal fashion sensibilities. The showcase also featured a pop-up boutique offering limited-edition pieces inspired by the show, blending the line between costume and ready-to-wear fashion.
Lighting, music, and scent were carefully curated to enhance the immersive atmosphere. The scent of frangipani and the sound of ocean waves played softly in the background, creating a multisensory experience that echoed the escapism of The White Lotus. It wasn’t just a fashion exhibit—it was a narrative journey, one that celebrated the power of costume design to transport, transform, and tell stories without a single line of dialogue.
From screen to runway: how television influences fashion trends
Television has long been a mirror to society, but in recent years, it has also become a powerful driver of fashion trends, with shows like The White Lotus leading the charge. The series’ distinctive wardrobe choices—ranging from breezy resort wear to bold statement pieces—have sparked a wave of sartorial inspiration that extends far beyond the screen. In Australia, where coastal living and relaxed elegance are part of the national identity, the show’s fashion has found a particularly receptive audience.
Costume designers like Alex Bovaird are increasingly shaping what viewers want to wear, blurring the lines between costume and contemporary fashion. After the release of each season of The White Lotus, fashion retailers reported spikes in demand for items like linen sets, oversized sunglasses, and tropical prints. Social media platforms lit up with style breakdowns and “get the look” guides, as fans sought to emulate the effortlessly chic ensembles seen on screen.
This phenomenon isn’t limited to casual wear. High-end designers have also taken cues from television, incorporating similar silhouettes, colour palettes, and accessories into their runway collections. The influence flows both ways—costume designers often draw from current fashion trends, but their interpretations can elevate and redefine those trends for a global audience. In turn, fashion houses and fast-fashion brands alike respond to the visual language established by popular shows, creating a feedback loop that keeps television at the forefront of style innovation.
In Australia, where fashion is often shaped by climate and lifestyle, the impact of shows like The White Lotus is particularly evident in resort and holiday wear. Local designers have embraced the aesthetic, incorporating relaxed tailoring, natural fibres, and sun-drenched hues into their collections. The show’s influence can be seen in everything from boutique window displays in Byron Bay to curated Instagram feeds of influencers in Noosa and Bondi.
What makes television such a potent force in fashion is its ability to contextualise clothing within a narrative. Viewers don’t just see an outfit—they see a character living in it, moving through a story that gives the clothing emotional resonance. This connection makes the fashion feel more accessible and aspirational, encouraging audiences to adopt elements of the style in their own lives. For Australian viewers, the blend of escapism and relatability in shows like The White Lotus makes the fashion all the more compelling.
As streaming platforms continue to produce visually rich, character-driven content, the runway is no longer the sole arbiter of fashion trends. Television has become a new kind of catwalk—one that reaches into living rooms across the world and, increasingly, into the wardrobes of everyday Australians.
Behind the seams: Alex Bovaird’s creative process
Alex Bovaird, the visionary costume designer behind The White Lotus, offered an exclusive glimpse into her creative process during SeriesFest’s Fashion In Focus event. Known for her ability to craft character through clothing, Bovaird shared how she approaches each project with a deep dive into narrative, location, and emotional tone. Her work is not just about dressing actors—it’s about storytelling through textiles, silhouettes, and subtle visual cues.
For The White Lotus, Bovaird revealed that she begins by immersing herself in the script, identifying key personality traits and emotional arcs of each character. From there, she builds mood boards that blend vintage references, contemporary fashion, and cultural context. She emphasised the importance of authenticity, often sourcing garments from local designers or vintage shops to reflect the setting’s unique aesthetic—whether it’s the sun-drenched coast of Sicily or the lush tropics of Hawaii.
“Costume design is about psychology as much as style,” Bovaird explained. “You’re dressing the inner life of a character, not just their body.”
Her process is collaborative, working closely with directors and actors to ensure each look resonates with the character’s journey. She also spoke about the challenges of balancing fashion-forward choices with realism, especially in a show where the wardrobe becomes a silent narrator. Bovaird’s attention to detail—like choosing a specific shade of linen to reflect a character’s mood—demonstrates her mastery of visual storytelling.
Australian designers will appreciate her nod to sustainable practices and her preference for natural fibres, which not only photograph beautifully but also align with the growing demand for ethical fashion in screen production. Her work continues to influence both costume design and ready-to-wear trends, proving that what we see on screen often finds its way into our wardrobes.
Immersive style: highlights from the Fashion In Focus showcase
The Fashion In Focus showcase at SeriesFest was a sensory-rich celebration of costume design, where Alex Bovaird’s work took centre stage in a curated installation that blurred the lines between fashion and film. Attendees were invited to step into immersive vignettes inspired by The White Lotus, with each space styled to reflect the distinct aesthetic of the show’s various locales—from the opulent Sicilian resort to the laid-back luxury of Hawaiian beachfronts.
Garments were displayed in situ, surrounded by atmospheric lighting and soundscapes that echoed the emotional tone of the series. It wasn’t just about seeing the clothes—it was about feeling the world they belonged to. Bovaird’s signature use of texture and colour was on full display: crisp linens in sun-faded hues, silk kaftans with painterly prints, and sharply tailored resort wear that hinted at both privilege and vulnerability.
- A standout moment was the recreation of Tanya’s iconic pink ensemble, complete with oversized accessories and a dramatic silk scarf—an outfit that has already sparked countless reinterpretations on social media and in editorial shoots.
- Another highlight was the menswear section, where relaxed tailoring met coastal cool. Think unstructured blazers in breathable cottons, paired with vintage-inspired shirts and artisanal loafers—an aesthetic that’s gaining traction in Australian resortwear collections.
- Interactive elements allowed guests to explore fabric swatches, mood boards, and behind-the-scenes sketches, offering a tactile connection to the design process rarely seen outside of studio walls.
For Australian fashion professionals, the showcase served as a masterclass in narrative styling. It demonstrated how costume design can influence consumer trends, particularly in the realm of vacation dressing and elevated leisurewear. The event also underscored the growing appetite for fashion experiences that are both visually arresting and emotionally resonant—something our local industry is increasingly embracing through pop-ups, fashion film festivals, and immersive retail concepts.
With its blend of cinematic storytelling and sartorial sophistication, the Fashion In Focus event proved that costume design is not just a behind-the-scenes craft—it’s a driving force in shaping how we dress, dream, and define character through clothing.
