'It's the last season — every Susie outfit was going to be a banger'

For the first instalment of Clothes For Camera, I spoke to Curb Your Enthusiasm's costume designer Leslie Schilling about Susie Greene, Larry David and what viewers can expect from tonight’s finale.

My husband is responsible for introducing me to Curb Your Enthusiasm. I was aware of it, but in all honesty, never thought of it as something I would enjoy — a TV show that largely revolves around a group of middle-aged men complaining? Not exactly my thing. 

However, after watching numerous episodes over the years, (albeit over his shoulder) I’ve realised that Curb is so much more than that — with one character in particular standing out. Susie Greene, the potty-mouthed, explosive wife of Larry David’s manager Jeff, who not only takes no prisoners, but looks completely iconic whilst reading someone to filth (usually the pair of them).

Her garish aesthetic conjures visions of 2012 Michelle Visage mixed with an eccentric wealthy aunt  — clashing colours, plenty of metallics, jaunty headgear and oversized jewellery that even a magpie might turn its beak up at. 

Leslie Schilling has been creating costumes for almost twenty years, working on TV shows such as Party Down, Wet Hot American Summer and The League, before joining Curb in 2016. Picking up for season 9 where former costume designer Christina Mongini left off, after the show’s six year hiatus, she has developed the wardrobes of all its much loved characters.

When it comes to Susie, she has doubled down on the larger than life accessories, the multitude of animal prints, and her penchant for band tees, including season 12, episode five’s Guns N Roses gingham frill shoulder-trimmed t-shirt with matching baker boy cap. Chef’s kiss after chef’s kiss.  

Image courtesy of HBO

“Chaotic” is how Schilling would summarise Susie’s style. Speaking on a video call from LA, she tells me: “Susie feels like she's very on trend and very fashion forward, but it's always kind of missing the mark. But it also in some ways hits the mark. So it's a weird juxtaposition.” 

Despite this, she’s not surprised that Susie has become a revered fashion icon. “Curb has such a big following, and I think that people really resonate with this crazy character.”

She continues: “I started to see it a lot more last season. We had some good press around this Fiorucci sweater, and so I knew that there was a lot of interest. That's why we really wanted to go all out this season.” 

And go all out she has.