By Shenay Mbemba
(references hyperlinked)
Ever wondered if one could fight through a herd of undead and look stylish doing it? It may never have crossed your mind before you got your hands on a Resident Evil video game decades ago.
The 2000s; when new fashion trends emerged and has become a staple for that era like Juicy Couture’s velour pants and low-rise jeans.
Video games have made a mark in pop culture over the years. For example, the pop of Mario’s red and Luigi’s green attire, Lara Croft’s iconic tank top and shorts. It’s easy to identify these characters by their clothing alone. Which brings me to the 5th mainline instalment in the survival horror franchise, Resident Evil 5. Taking place in West Africa, 2009 also released in that same year. It’s considered one of the most polarising video games in the series for one of the reasons being the first to marginally retreat from its horror-driven experience, introducing a more action-packed journey.
Alfred Pietroni is an artist known for his 3-dimentional digital runway collections stimulated by survival horror, emotions and dark fantasy imagery. I asked him how the planning process is applied for the manifestation of his 3D work. He explained, "My core is the emotional theme and concept, this informs the materials I want to use, the reference points, the overarching mood and the direction I want my designs to embody. With each design I usually start with a very vague idea, it’s never fully sketched out, I prefer to let my designs organically form as I experiment in the digital 3D space."
I consider Resident Evil 5 to be the most fashionable of the franchise. The characters are designed in a way I’ve always found polished and eye-catching. Adorned in fashion that speaks the visual language of the character, their position and personality.
I will be exploring then analysing the fashion worn by five characters within the game, Chris Redfield, Sheva Alomar, Albert Wesker, Excella Gionne and Ricardo Irving. In addition, I will be making references to fashion pieces the character’s fashion may have been inspired by.
As the game was in development from 2004, it will be interesting to incorporate contextual fashion from around that time.
Chris Redfield
Chris’ full character figure directly from the game. Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
The protagonist of the video of game is an original of the franchise, Chris Redfield, making this his fifth playable appearance in a Resident Evil game since his previous, Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles. Chris continues his mission, now as a member of the BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance), a fictional organisation fighting bioterrorism. As expected, he wears its uniform representing it's force.
Chris’ upper body. Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
His attire’s colour pallet consists of muted tones; greys, green, brown which connote many attributes. For example, it demonstrates his professionalism and corporate figure. Throughout the video game, he exhibits traits such as being reserved and hard-headed which may explain the colour scheme. His vest is skin-tight, synonymous to a tactical vest which enables him to move around and tackling more tougher activities.
Chris’ shoes. Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
His boots bear a similarity in form and functionality to the Nike ACG Air 2000 Rugged Walking Boots “ACG stands for All Conditions Gear – a name which references the label’s mission to provide reliable protection and performance in all conditions, locations and terrains.” HIP explains. The muted green is most prominent in his outfit, juxtaposing from darker tones to lighter. To link this use of colour to branding, Seth D Brown of Upward Arrow says, “green denotes renewal and progress, it’s an excellent choice for businesses involved in innovation, personal growth, coaching, or recruitment.”
Sheva Alomar
Sheva’s full character figure directly from the game. Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
Making her debut in the series, Sheva Alomar, is a part of the West African branch of the BSAA. Therefore, herself and Chris solidified an allegiance at the start the game, working alongside each other throughout their mission. A spirited individual, driven by determination and passion for the cause of countering bioterrorism that has blighted her homeland.
Sheva during a cutscene. Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
Her fashion sense is reflective of her heritage; she takes pride in where she comes from. Wearing a lavender purple tank top, stitched with tribal patterns. A tank top is well suited for the hot weather. In a fashion sense, her top could have drawn inspiration from the Sheer Embroidered Silk Purple Tank Crop Top that featured in the 2000 Giorgio Armani Spring/Summer runway show. Adorned with a black, red and white beaded necklace paired with a matching arm band. Cultureville explains Kente colours. Kente is Ghanaian fabric that is “traditionally handwoven on wooden looms.” Pertaining to the colour purple, Francisca Ayree says, “Purple or Maroon: represents Mother Earth, healing, femininity and protection from evil.”
She has on taupe jeans to pair with the top. LeatherBeltsOnline described, "with its blend of brown and gray, embodies stability, reliability, and elegance. It’s a color that doesn’t scream for attention but rather, offers a comforting presence." They seem to be slim-fitted or skinny. Skinny jeans was a trend during the mid-2000s, with celebrities like Kate Moss and bands like The Strokes popularising it.
Albert Wesker
Wesker’s full character figure directly from the game. Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
Albert Wesker, commonly referred to as Wesker, is known as the franchise’s most notable villain. He’s had a history of a more refined and dapper sense of style. He’s a character who favours practicality while effortlessly making a fashion statement.
Wesker close-up during a cutscene. Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
The shades he wears play a significant role in his identity which is to conceal his glowing eyes. It’s also how people can set him apart from other characters in the game and maintain his obscure enigma. Even though he wears these shades for secrecy, this didn’t stop him from wanting it to add a polished touch. His sunglasses are rectangular, with subtly tinted yellow frames. It was interesting to notice similarities to branded vintage sunglasses from the 90s instead, for instance Dolce & Gabbana 2125 BR and Dolce & Gabbana 2079 624.
Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
He adorns an ankle-length trench coat, reminiscent of The Matrix’s fashion. I think it’s safe to say that it may give the impression of a leather jacket however its actually hydrocarbon fibre. His whole outfit is made from this for heat resistance and to sustain his superhuman biology. This being the material for the trench coat, it may be added protection. Realistically, the closest reference I could find for possible inspiration behind his coat is this leather coat worn in the Helmut Lang Fall/Winter 2000 Ready-to-Wear Runway collection.
Excella Gionne
Excella’s full character figure directly from the game. Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
Working alongside Wesker stands Excella Gionne. A corrupt businesswoman born into wealth. Her sense of style displays that she favours the finer things in life, the luxury. The material of her ivory dress resembles shantung silk, with the faint detail of the lines. According to the blog Whole Kardashian, "Excella's wardrobe is actually based on haute couture design, for example her dress is made by famous fashion designer Alexander McQueen and her shoes are designed by Malaysian fashion designer Jimmy Choo." Taking this to consideration, a dress that was showcased in McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2000 Ready-to-Wear collection exudes a subtle essence to Excella’s dress.
Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
It’s no surprise that gold is eye-catching in her ensemble since she’s a woman of affluence. Jimmy Choo provided a lot of timeless pieces from the 90s. It was this period instead of the 2000s that I was able to find heels with a similarity to Excella’s. These heels in question I found were the 1998 Leo 100 Leather Heeled Sandals. The composition of the outfit is balanced yet flashy, the colour of gold and ivory blending well together in a non-convoluted way. Besides the exposed toes, it does share qualities in design.
Ricardo Irving
Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
Sarcastically referring to himself as a "businessman with standards", Ricardo Irving is everything but. Seeing as he is known as the bio-terrorist partner of our antagonists, responsible for the black market dealership of the bio-weapons, it isn't far-fetched that he was also coined the "Merchant of Death".
Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
Irving's fashion presents itself as very much business style with a hint of camp personality. His ensemble doesn't shy away from expressing high status as well as his eccentric characteristics with it's selective colours and patterns. His two-buttoned suit jacket (likely tailored) could be the texture of linen, and plausibly so as far as the hot weather goes. Despite it's connotations to sustainability and purity (which he probably wouldn't have cared for), it still holds as a historically luxurious material. "In Mesopotamia linen garments were reserved for the ruling classes – they would have been seen as a luxury." according to Percival Menswear. Like Chris, it seems the grey is most likely a connotation to his professional, business background.
Underneath his suit jacket, he wears a orange button-up shirt. The colour immediately drawing attention to him; a burst of energy. The elaborate floral-esque patterns illustrated all over gives a sort of gentle juxtaposition to his character yet reinforces the riches he has to even afford one as such. It shows a striking resemblance to this Vintage Ermenegildo Zegna Sport Floral Corduroy Long Sleeve Shirt.
Screenshot: Shenay Mbemba
His pinstripe trousers evokes a jester-like character which you can tell he embodies. It's like he wanted the pinstripe pattern which isn't out of the ordinary for tailored suits at the time but the stripes thickened to accentuate that jester image. Keeping up with his well-to-do clothing, he finished it off with a pair of reptilian-print derby shoes. Reptiles have a pretty bad reputation, typically attached to negative idioms and connotations like 'crocodile tears', 'snake in the grass' and 'cold-blooded'. Irving is all of that quite frankly.
Conclusion
A character’s appearance speaks volumes about their identity and what they represent. I personally consider Resident Evil 5 to be the most fashionable of the franchise. The development team behind this game, Capcom, used fashion to tell a narrative. Pietroni generally observed, ‘Each outfit embodies the characters and vice versa, they inform each other with a sense of cohesion, personality, charm and visual storytelling; this is the core of smart character design.’