{"id":51185,"date":"2022-02-27T22:54:45","date_gmt":"2022-02-27T22:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=51185"},"modified":"2022-02-27T22:59:23","modified_gmt":"2022-02-27T22:59:23","slug":"euphoria-maddy-perez-norman-norell-dress","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/euphoria-maddy-perez-norman-norell-dress\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Euphoria’: Maddy Perez Comes of Age Through the Story of a Dress"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Image courtesy of HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With Euphoria<\/em><\/a>\u2019s big season 2 finale airing tonight on HBO<\/a>, we thought we\u2019d take the opportunity to muse over the intricacies of the hit drama\u2019s meticulous storyline, specifically unpacking Maddy Perez<\/a>\u2019s royal purple Norman Norell 1965 mermaid sequin evening gown that has made a few appearances throughout the season.<\/p>\n

After spending the last season finding solace and a sense of escape within her boss\u2019 palatial, couture-filled closet<\/a>, Maddy Perez<\/a> (played by Alexa Demie<\/a>) is given the support, encouragement, and permission to thrive in a way that she’s always needed.<\/p>\n

Costumes often represent far more than merely a captivating visual tool. While certainly used to translate a character\u2019s outward persona, wardrobe choices often have the ability to add to the storyline more than viewers may realize.<\/p>\n

For costume designer Heidi Bivens<\/a>, fashion is never to be underestimated. American designer Norman Norell\u2019s sequin evening dress has become a character in and of itself in the series\u2019 sophomore season. Said to have been made during the designer\u2019s most innovative time of his career in 1965, the dress is the perfect fit for Maddy\u2019s storyline. Serving as a conduit for Maddy\u2019s character development and personal growth, the dress symbolizes who Maddy wishes she could be and eventually, who she decides she\u2019s going to be.<\/p>\n

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(Image courtesy of HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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, \u201cMaddy would never say it out loud, especially not today because everyone\u2019s so political, but she never really had any desire to have a career\u2026or job.\u201d<\/p>\n

With a tumultuous home life, Maddy finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship with Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi<\/a>) 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\u2019s (Minka Kelly<\/a>) impressive closet<\/a>, filled to the brim with archival couture pieces to die for, from Mugler to Dior. Performing her very own little fashion montage<\/a> after putting Theo to bed, Maddy\u2019s dress-up skit speaks to the character\u2019s often veiled innocence while simultaneously representing all she wishes to achieve.<\/p>\n

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(Image courtesy of HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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\u2019s need for a compassionate role model.<\/p>\n

After discovering her best friend Cassie\u2019s (Sydney Sweeney<\/a>) blatant betrayal, continuing in her secret relationship with Nate, Maddy once again retreats to the fantastical universe of Samantha\u2019s closet, slipping into the 1965 Norman Norell confection (all while the camera pans to a Nanny-cam within the wardrobe).<\/p>\n

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\u2019s side of the aisle, Samantha grounds Maddy\u2019s point of view on the subject.<\/p>\n

After returning home after a cathartic night with her employer, Maddy finds herself in one of the darkest and most sadistic scenes<\/a> in the history of Euphoria<\/em><\/a>. After Nate submits Maddy to a vindictive game of Russian roulette in her bedroom to retrieve his father\u2019s sex tape, Maddy\u2019s left completely traumatized by Nate once again.<\/p>\n

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(Image courtesy of HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The next time we see Maddy and Samantha, they\u2019re discussing Maddy having to break the news to little Theo that she\u2019ll be leaving. Chatting over whether they believe he\u2019ll cry and Maddy\u2019s fears over breaking his heart, Samantha pulls out a gift for Maddy, as a parting gift. \u201cSomething tells me you\u2019ll enjoy it,\u201d Samantha hints. (Yep, you guessed it \u2014 it’s the dress!)<\/p>\n

Wrapped with a note reading, \u201cDon\u2019t look back!\u201d Maddy seems to be moving on to bigger and better things, with the push and support from Samantha that she\u2019s always needed from someone.<\/p>\n

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(Image courtesy of HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Representing her relationship with Samantha, and her own personal growth, the dress is emblematic of Maddy\u2019s 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\u2019s independence and newfound self-reliance is perfectly depicted through her coveted vintage Norman Norell.<\/p>\n

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