With Euphoria’s big season 2 finale airing tonight on HBO, we thought we’d take the opportunity to muse over the intricacies of the hit drama’s meticulous storyline, specifically unpacking Maddy Perez’s royal purple Norman Norell 1965 mermaid sequin evening gown that has made a few appearances throughout the season.
After spending the last season finding solace and a sense of escape within her boss’ palatial, couture-filled closet, Maddy Perez (played by Alexa Demie) is given the support, encouragement, and permission to thrive in a way that she’s always needed.
Costumes often represent far more than merely a captivating visual tool. While certainly used to translate a character’s outward persona, wardrobe choices often have the ability to add to the storyline more than viewers may realize.
For costume designer Heidi Bivens, fashion is never to be underestimated. American designer Norman Norell’s sequin evening dress has become a character in and of itself in the series’ sophomore season. Said to have been made during the designer’s most innovative time of his career in 1965, the dress is the perfect fit for Maddy’s storyline. Serving as a conduit for Maddy’s character development and personal growth, the dress symbolizes who Maddy wishes she could be and eventually, who she decides she’s going to be.
When we first meet Maddy, we quickly learn that this character is a girl who, while she does not wish to work, hopes to one day find herself in the lap of luxury. As Zendaya’s character Rue narrates, “Maddy would never say it out loud, especially not today because everyone’s so political, but she never really had any desire to have a career…or job.”
With a tumultuous home life, Maddy finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship with Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) that she fervently hopes will one day bring her love and stability. After ending the violent relationship, Maddy finds a bit of independence in babysitting a little boy named Theo, who has outrageously wealthy parents. Finding an unexpected affection for the child, her favorite element to her new career endeavor is sneaking into his mother Samantha’s (Minka Kelly) impressive closet, filled to the brim with archival couture pieces to die for, from Mugler to Dior. Performing her very own little fashion montage after putting Theo to bed, Maddy’s dress-up skit speaks to the character’s often veiled innocence while simultaneously representing all she wishes to achieve.
When Samantha comes home from an event with her husband donning the glittering purple frock, Maddy helps unzip her dress while looking at Samantha in awe. Having always seen Maddy own the room and exude confidence, seeing this strong character looking adoringly up at this poised and glamorous woman, speaks to Maddy’s need for a compassionate role model.
After discovering her best friend Cassie’s (Sydney Sweeney) blatant betrayal, continuing in her secret relationship with Nate, Maddy once again retreats to the fantastical universe of Samantha’s closet, slipping into the 1965 Norman Norell confection (all while the camera pans to a Nanny-cam within the wardrobe).
Hopping in the pool together with a bottle of wine, Maddy confides in Samantha over the heartbreaking turn of events. Providing some perspective from Cassie’s side of the aisle, Samantha grounds Maddy’s point of view on the subject.
After returning home after a cathartic night with her employer, Maddy finds herself in one of the darkest and most sadistic scenes in the history of Euphoria. After Nate submits Maddy to a vindictive game of Russian roulette in her bedroom to retrieve his father’s sex tape, Maddy’s left completely traumatized by Nate once again.
The next time we see Maddy and Samantha, they’re discussing Maddy having to break the news to little Theo that she’ll be leaving. Chatting over whether they believe he’ll cry and Maddy’s fears over breaking his heart, Samantha pulls out a gift for Maddy, as a parting gift. “Something tells me you’ll enjoy it,” Samantha hints. (Yep, you guessed it — it’s the dress!)
Wrapped with a note reading, “Don’t look back!” Maddy seems to be moving on to bigger and better things, with the push and support from Samantha that she’s always needed from someone.
Representing her relationship with Samantha, and her own personal growth, the dress is emblematic of Maddy’s internal metamorphosis, from seeing this world of luxury as an intangible fantasy, to something she is willing to work for. Finding the power to source safety, security, and stability from within herself, Maddy’s independence and newfound self-reliance is perfectly depicted through her coveted vintage Norman Norell.
