The Hidden Meaning Behind the Costumes on “House of the Dragon”

Ever since the announcement of the “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon,” the highly-praised HBO series has taken the internet by storm, bringing in close to 20 million viewers after the first instalment aired on Aug. 21. As if the plot isn’t captivating enough, the popular show takes fashion enthusiasts on a nostalgic journey with its distinct costumes, where each house has their own unique style similar to “Game of Thrones.”

While “House of the Dragon” has undeniable ties to its predecessor, the new series has developed its own visual identity that leaves viewers at the edge of their seats, and fans have award-winning French costume designer Jany Temime to thank for that. With an impressive career spanning from being fashion editor at Elle Magazine to working on the wardrobe for the iconic Harry Potter film series, it’s no surprise that Temime elevated the costumes worn by the main players in the Targaryen family: King Viserys I (Paddy Considine), Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy & Milly Alcock), Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best), Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), as well as the Cole family with Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel).

“To be honest, I’d never seen ‘Game of Thrones,'” Temime told Tatler Magazine. “I got the offer during quarantine, and I thought ‘House of the Dragon’ was interesting because it was a prequel. Working on a prequel is like starting a new project, because it’s not directly related to the original.” Initially unfamiliar with the original series, Temime still managed to successfully incorporate concepts like colour theory to create one-of-a-kind costumes for “House of the Dragon.”

The producers came up with the meaning behind the costumes, giving the colours special significance. Each hue represents the colours of each side of the family as well as their political ties; red, black and gold symbolise blood, death, sex, and fire, for example. “Having a strong colour story affected the silhouettes of the costumes – simple and graphic shapes helped to accentuate the colours further and [forced us] to consider how these colours would appear on screen,” Temime shared. One standout ensemble is the young Princess Rhaenyra’s coronation gown, which symbolises the pride she has in her family, as those were the colours worn by her father during his big tournament.

Whether you’re a “House of the Dragon” fanatic or just simply intrigued by the show’s wardrobe, keep scrolling to take in the captivating costumes from the houses featured.