THE JOURNAL
Ms Rose Byrne and Mr Seth Rogen in Platonic, 2023. Photograph by Mr Paul Sarkis, courtesy of Apple TV +
They’re always there for you. They’ve been with you through thick and thin, reliably have your back and have saved your ass on numerous occasions. Sure, you’ve had to patch things up from time to time, but, on the whole, they just make you feel better about yourself. And, no, you’ve never seen them in that way, even when you’ve been very, very drunk. (OK, so there was that one time…) But enough about our relationship with clothing, what of Mr Seth Rogen, who has reacquainted himself with Ms Rose Byrne, his best bud from way back (and Bad Neighbours co-star), in Platonic?
As the name suggests, the Apple TV+ comedy series aims to disprove the central tenet of When Harry Met Sally… Specifically, that men and women really can be friends without the sex part getting in the way. Rogen plays Will – not will-they-won’t-they – a hip LA brewer and recent divorcee. Byrne is Sylvia, a married mum of three who didn’t get along with Will’s ex, hence the two haven’t seen each other in some time.
It’s a winning story, played hilariously by both actors. But, here at MR PORTER, our takeaway is more along the lines of “We’ll have whatever he’s wearing”. Will’s outfits are the breakout stars of the show. Think clashing patterns, colourful short-sleeved shirts and drip knitwear.
“Will is at a different stage in his life than Sylvia and Charlie [Sylvia’s very accommodating husband],” says Ms Kameron Lennox, the Emmy-nominated costume designer who worked on the show. “We wanted to show that Sylvia and Charlie were still trying to live the pre-conceived conservative idea of the American dream. A high-ranking job, kids, private school, a nice house in a nice neighbourhood. They dressed to show where they are in the social ranks. Whereas Will is holding on to a different dream. He is trying to live like he did before he settled down.”
“We wanted it to feel like he is part of the fabric of LA”
Mr Seth Rogen in Platonic, 2023. Photograph by Mr Paul Sarkis, courtesy of Apple TV +
An LA native, Lennox says the team behind the show “wanted it to feel like Will is part of the fabric” of the city. “The style was based loosely on the guys we always see around town that wait for the latest drop at their favourite store on Fairfax, in Silverlake or at various boutiques in Downtown LA,” she says. “The guys who spend their money on a few good pieces of designer clothing, like BODE or Needles, and know how to personalise it.”
As has been noted here at MR PORTER on numerous occasions, Rogen is himself no slouch when it comes to dressing. Lennox also approves of the actor’s style. “But he also dresses much more subtle and muted,” Lennox says when asked to compare Rogen with his on-screen incarnation.
“There were a few times that Seth didn’t want to wear something that was too similar to how he normally dresses,” she adds. “He was playing a character and not himself, so it was important to differentiate the two. My team and I sourced all of the pieces used for his character. [And], in the end, Seth wanted to keep a few pieces for himself, which is the biggest flattery of all.”
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