Rudy Mance On Performing “Surgery” on the “Holy Grail” of Costumes for ‘Love Story’

When you think about John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette as a couple, many words come to mind, but everyone would agree that one of those words would be style. For years, they were photographed leaving their loft, attending events, spending time with their families and even trying to evade the persistent paparazzi. Most of the characters have “been seen” by a huge public for the majority of their lives, and that created a unique challenge for costume designer Rudy Mance, as his stunning designs live up to history and a love that endures to this day.

What does a Kennedy look like when he lounges at home? How do you match the style of a young woman who works for one of the most celebrated and iconic fashion brands of the 1990s? These aren’t just people who were in the public eye, but they are people who knew how to dress living in one of the most exciting cities for fashion. When Mance and I get on the line together, one of the first things I asked him was whether there was any concern about Carolyn Bessette’s wardrobe containing almost no color and mostly blacks, khakis, and whites. It felt like I could see Bessette’s entire wardrobe laid out for her, and Sarah Pidgeon looks fantastic in the clean lines and classic silhouettes in Mance’s work.

When we turn our eyes to the other women in Love Story’s narrative, Mance and I discuss how the closet for Caroline Kenney might look similar to Jackie’s since a lot of their viewpoints align with her mother’s. One could supposed that Caroline would look through her Jackie’s closet and belongings after she passes away and how that selection would fit perfectly amongst Caroline’s clothes. In scenes between Carolyn and Caroline, you instinctively get a sense of character without either woman speaking a word.

After a discussion about what Mance loves about fashion in the ’90s, he reveals how he found the perfect coat for Pidgeon’s Carolyn, but the sleeves were not the right length. Mance details how he had to get permission from the coat’s owner and how he meticulously alter it in order for it to work perfectly. Yes, I geek out over altering and distressing a vintage coat, but it’s a great example of how passion for costuming will take any designer down the right path in order to make sure the fit and presentation match the vision.

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette is streaming now on Hulu and Disney+.