The video "THE BRIDE! x Victoria's Secret Exclusive Interview" was released by Victoria's Secret on February 23, 2026. In this 4-minute and 14-second feature, filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal discusses the costume design and character themes of her film The Bride!, specifically focusing on the collaboration to bring the film's aesthetic to life.
🌟 Section 1: The Iconic Orange Dress
The interview delves into the unconventional look of the protagonist, known as "The Bride":
Unconventional Color: Gyllenhaal explains that the character's signature orange dress was a collaboration between herself, Jessie Buckley, and costume designer Sandy Powell [00:28].
The "No Brown" Rule: When Gyllenhaal suggested adding brown tones to the copper fabric, Powell famously responded, "I don't do brown dresses" [00:55].
Visual Evolution: The dress is designed to look "fresh" even as it wears down, featuring rips, undone buttons, and reveals of the character's bra throughout the film [01:20].
🎭 Section 2: Aesthetic and Character Themes
Gyllenhaal discusses the historical and social influences on the film's style:
Vintage Punk: The film's aesthetic is described as "the 30s by way of 1981 downtown New York" [02:13]. Gyllenhaal defines "punk" in this context as a "celebration of not fitting into your box" [02:23].
Identity and Agency: The character is told she is a "bride" from the moment she is brought back to life, but she has no name [02:34]. Gyllenhaal emphasizes that the character never actually agreed to be anyone's bride [02:57].
Female Empowerment: Gyllenhaal intentionally featured strong female characters, noting that women "come together to change something or make something new and wild" [03:11].
Makeup and Details: The interview mentions the character's distinctive "black cheek" makeup and other "sick" details like a black nipple, which Gyllenhaal expects fans to emulate [03:52].
📊 Section 3: Key Video Data
✨ Conclusion
This exclusive interview provides a deep dive into the creative choices behind the visual identity of The Bride!. By blending 1930s elegance with 1980s punk subversion, Gyllenhaal and her team created a character whose look is as "monstrous" and "alive" as her story of self-discovery [02:30].