Adapted from Charles King’s book “Midnight at Pera Palas- Born of Modern Istanbul,” Midnight at Pera Palas series promises a pleasurable journey for you to discover the Istanbul of 100 years before, and to feel the fascinating soul of the city that carries the heavy burden of a complicated period. Unlike the book that arouses confusion with ethnic, cultural, and religious motifs, the series indicate that hope that is not lost against all odds can in fact overcome everything. Having famous names in its casting such as Hazal Kaya, Selahattin Paşalı and Tansu Biçer, the director of the production is Emre Şahin.

The series deal with the events that start when the paths of a young journalist Esra meet with the legendary Pera Palas Hotel in Istanbul. Coming to Pera Palas in order to prepare an article about the hotel, Esra decides to stay in one of the historical rooms of the building but mysteriously finds herself in 1919. During this journey to the past, Esra tries to prevent the assassination attempt against Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, finds out who killed the Peride character, discovers her own past, analyzes her familial stories, and also does not set love aside. The series reminds the audience of the proud struggle of both Mustafa Kemal and Turkish resistance legions that were considered traitors back then and how lucky we are to have Atatürk and gains the appreciation of the
audience. Midnight at Pera Palas accomplishes to be a source of inspiration with costumes and accessories that reflect the soul of the era. Fine details of the 1910s, 40s, and contemporary fashion, accessories, and hats that open the door of a visual feast with their versatility, then iconic ring that plays the lead role as the key of some truths, and other jewels enliven the exciting action scenes of the production. The appearance of Esra’s hero as Peride in 1919 that continues her job as a journalist today carries the energetic power of time travel with attractive earrings, necklaces, glamorous brooches, and other pieces of jewelry.

Breaking the rating records on Netflix, Bridgerton celebrates an interesting return with its 2nd Season. Once again, bright-colored visuals, a new love story, the shades of fruit ice cream, luxurious dresses with flower and butterfly motifs, balls, gossip, limitless magnificent jewels, crowns, and huge wigs take the audience on a journey in the romantic period. Historical Bridgerton, whose script was written by Chris Van Dusen was adapted from Julia Quinn’s book “The Viscount Who Loved Me.” The focal point of this season is the new love story of Anthony Bridgerton, the oldest of eight siblingsin the Bridgerton family. Conceitingly inviting all the single girls in town to a “marriage exam,” Lord Bridgerton cannot even predict that his heart would be soon stolen. The oldest sibling of the Sharma family that moves from India to London, Kate becomes the new rising star of the series with her brown skin, purple and orange dresses, and colorful stoned jewels. We will not tell how the relationship between Anthony and Kate has ended up, let’s steal the duty of the gossiper Lady Whistledown and talk about the costumes and jewelry looks of the project.

The costume designer of Bridgerton’s 2nd Season, Sophie Canale designed nearly 700 costumes together with a team of 120 people and workers from outside. Also, for women, if we add hats of all these costumes, hairpieces dyed in a way to suit the dresses, accessories, embroidered gloves, shoes, and other accessories, we reach more than 7000 pieces in total. In the dress design of the Sharma family, new members of this season, Hindu fabrics and embroidery predominate, slits that are usually in the middle are carried on the side a little and there is a reference to saris. For the jewels, Poonam Thanki from the accessory team added Hindu melodies to the jewels just like in clothing, and further flower hairclips and tiaras were used to make them suitable with the dresses. There is a different factor in the color choice
of the siblings, Kate and Edwina, regarding the dresses. While Kate prefers darker shades, Edwina wears pink as she believes in love. The jewels of Bridgerton, Featherington, and Sharma families were differentiated with different metals. For instance, for Bridgerton’s, silver, for Featherington’s, gold, and for Sharmas, rose golden was chosen.

Just like in the first season, the colorful heroes of this season are once again Lady Featherington, Penelope Featherington, Queen Charlotte, and Lady Danbury. Fitting her colorful low cleavage dresses with fluffy hair that reminds of the cream of a cake, and large stoned jewels, Lady Featherington, though occupying herself with finding a husband for their daughters, looks even more colorful than her glamorous look in the first season. Turning the town upside down with her weekly articles, the gossip girl “Lady Whistledown”- Penelope Featherington, appears with large hair accessories, very regular curly hair, and lemon yellow dresses in the second season but as the episodes proceed all of these decrease. Towards the end of the season, Penelope’s style changes and becomes purer and clearer. Let’s talk about Queen Charlotte briefly. Golda Rosheuvel who plays the Queen wore two corsets in order to accomplish a complete royal look, and it took nearly two hours to wear her costume. What’s more striking than the jewels and costumes of the Queen is of course her irreplaceable wigs in every size and color.