Ms Marvel: Initial Concepts, Research & Designs
- Jessica Elizabeth
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Group Concept - 80s Biopunk
We chose to set our characters in a retro-futuristic world, using the 1980s as a basis. In this setting, the characters have all gained their powers via nuclear mutations from an atomic bomb. From this I researched into various avenues of the 1980s, dress, biopunk, etc to create my design.
With the 1980s being the basis for the world, I looked into both normal 80s dress and heightened silhouettes (designers interpretations and films, media). This further prompted me to look at 80s athleisure, as supersuits would have to be functional as sportswear, as well as a protective layer. I really wanted my design to be notably 80s in this regard.
Protective Suit Research
With the nuclear setting for our dystoptian future, incorporating ideas of a protective suit was important to my design. I researched space suits, and looked at the placements of each tube and valve to apply it to my own designs. Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Suits provide protection in all of these area. They are full body covering and specifically include a mask and rubber boots to protect from the external hazardous environment.
80s Futurism
To imagine my dysopian costume, I drew on ideas of the future from the 80s itself.
As Ms Marvel is interested in video games, it made sense to look at 80s specific ones, to draw inspiration from. Upon researching this, I researched the history of the grid pattern (prevalent in games and other 80s media). This influenced much of the repeated grid motif in my final design.
Tron (1982)
Building from my 80s America research, I next looked at 80s futurism (in film) see how people in the era perceived the future. This film is the epitome of 80s futurism, it evokes the moment where computers where being transferred from strictly military to public use. From this, I would like my work to depict some of Tron’s themes of technology, AI, corporations and intellectual property, and have them reflected in my final costume
Fashion Interpretation
For Givenchy’s 1999 Fall Runway show, Alexander McQueen showcased looks that seemed to take inspiration from Tron.
This influenced much of the repeated grid motif in my final design. I drew on this design interpretation of futuristic fashion and circuit board motifs when creating my final design
1980s Pakistan
As Ms Marvel is Pakistani-American, I researched cultural motifs and the history of Pakistan. I drew on lots of this research for my final design, using the colour scheme for my final print design, and references to jasmine, and floral Mughal artwork in my bodice design.
Design Concept
My designs focus on Ms Marvel's polymorphic abilities + how her cells shift to allow her powers to function. I also wanted to draw on elements of protective clothing, in a heightened 80s fashion, and how this could be constructed using biotechnology.
Initially, I experimented with various silhouettes, and how the Biopunk aspects would merge with the 1980s look. This used aspects of limbs, cells, atomic structures, etc and how to put them onto the body.
Final Design
My final design features a 1980s silhouette, with the jumpsuit + bodysuit. The cell pattern resembles Kamala's abilities, in a Biopunk suit that is merged with her - as a second skin.
My final design depicts a fusion between cells and skin, where the mutation (due to radiation) acts as another layer to shield her from the elements, yet it is also a suit that needs to regulate her powers. This is similar to many super suits that work cohesively with the users powers but blends more to her skin than acting as clothing.
There are additional protective layers, with the mask that protects her thyroid from radiation, and tubes to regulate her radiation levels.
As Kamala is Bioluminescent, I wanted to feature this aspect too. I was inspired by the 1980s grid pattern from games, as well as the patterns of radiation glass. Ms Marvels powers are unique, in that her cells time-travel as she polymorphs. This is a phenomena in science too, wherein glass molecules apparently also time travel. This led to me wanting glass represented in my design, linking to uranium glass to symbolise the radiated state of the world. This is reflected in her bodice + light up markings on her body.
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