Cristal Carrington serves as a vital main character within the first season of the television series Dynasty. In her initial role as a Public Relations associate at Carrington Atlantic, the individual establishes a personal connection with Blake Carrington. However, her decision to marry into the Carrington family is met with disapproval from Fallon, her new stepdaughter. Cristal exhibits attributes commonly associated with a successful professional, displaying determination, resilience, and a strong sense of self. Simultaneously, she maintains an elegant and refined demeanor, embodying both grace and adherence to conventional feminine ideals. The character exemplifies the capacity for individuals to exhibit diligence and earnestness while also embracing refined sartorial standards that deviate from conventional expectations regarding demeanor and appearance within prominent positions, such as that of a Chief Operating Officer.
Femininity does not conform to a prescribed role, limited by gender, or defined by a singular aesthetic; rather, it encompasses a diverse range of expressions and identities. The reconfiguration of societal roles and the modes of existence in contemporary society involves relinquishing antiquated stereotypes dictating how individuals ought to behave, while simultaneously retaining traditionally feminine attributes in terms of their aesthetic appeal. The term “femininity” is often used to describe a set of traits that are commonly associated with women. It is important to note that this term is not limited to women alone, as clothing itself does not possess inherent gender characteristics. Rather, societal norms and identities are often tied to specific appearances, resulting in the association of certain traits with femininity.
The focus does not revolve around rules and restrictions that are oppressive in nature.There exists a wide array of elegant attire, ranging from traditional designs to more extravagant variations. The act of dressing elegantly and embracing femininity does not necessitate the relinquishment of one’s personality. Instead, it involves preserving and expressing one’s individuality, aspirations, and experiences through the medium of elegant garments. The definition of this concept exhibits variation among individuals and undergoes continuous evolution. In addition, it is important to note that I address this topic in the video. However, it is crucial to clarify that when I refer to “traditionally feminine,” I am employing this term in a highly specific manner.
Even though my videos on ‘menswear’ and ‘womenswear’ tend to focus on androgynous fashion, I prefer to utilize these categories merely as a means of classification, recognizing that a garment is not limited to a single identity but is inclusive for all individuals. The television series Dynasty showcases a diverse range of powerful female characters who exhibit distinct fashion choices, yet share common traits of complexity, strength, and femininity.
The character of Cristal Carrington exemplifies the embodiment of female empowerment, frequently donning a fusion of refined classic and traditional feminine attire. Costume designer Meredith Markworth-Pollack depicts how modern powerful women dress in and out of the office. In an interview with Teen Vogue, she stated about Cristal’s wardrobe, “We wanted to show her femininity, but also show that she’s COO of a company,. She can still be bold and rock the structured looks, but she doesn’t have to be the woman who comes in wearing the black suit. She doesn’t have to be tough because she can still be feminine and be the boss.”
Cristal is aware of style and adheres to many modern standards of beauty while never losing touch with her roots. Nathalie Kelley, who plays Cristal on the show, is Peruvian, and Pollak, who is Peruvian, wanted to show her support for up-and-coming designers by encouraging her to wear Latinx labels. They reached consensus on Cristal being the type to return favors to the design community now that she is in a position to do so. Cristal frequently wears pieces by designers like Chloé, Valentino, Miu Miu, and YSL, as well as pieces by lesser-known but equally prestigious names like Johanna Ortiz and Juan Carlos Obando.
Cristal prefers labels with vibrant histories that reflect her beliefs about what it means to be a modern woman; for example, YSL captures breaking out of the conventions cast through passion and intensity, while Miu Miu is alluring and iridescent in an unabashedly girly way. Both accurately reflect Cristal’s more nuanced personality and thought processes since the reboot. Since the original Dynasty aired in the ’80s and Cristal was the show’s most innocent and morally upright character, whose primary function was to be a wife, a beauty, and a homemaker, she is meant to be more powerful and not so black and white. While the original character’s inherent goodness, beauty, and concern for her family remain, the expanded version of her has new goals and characteristics that give her more depth.
For instance, Her wedding look in the first episode makes a statement, rather than a traditional gown, Cristal’s wedding look references Bianca Jagger’s wedding outfit, giving the moment a vintage component that is very quintessential. The look consists of a Brandon Maxwell “Deep V Jumpsuit”, paired off with a custom tulle Gladys Tamez Millinerymini veil , Azaara earrings, Bonheur necklace, Paul Andrew pumps. She later changes into a Giambattista Valli “Convertible Guipure Lace-Paneled Crepe Dress topped off with a hat custom made for this moment to pay homage to the original fahsion of the show.
Because of this, her character goes from being one-dimensional, or “flat,” to being three-dimensional, or “round,” with a lot more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye. Like the original Cristal, she has bright, sophisticated, and refined looks that are rather unconventional, but now she has a more dynamic edge because she is no longer a blank slate but a woman with a mysterious past and strong ambition that still has a refined outlook.
Cristal takes a similarly sophisticated tack, albeit one that is softer in appearance thanks to the styling techniques and fashion references that form the basis of her business-appropriate, party-ready, and elegant off-duty wardrobe.
Reboot’s Clothes Collection Cristal’s also frequently harkens back to iconic ’80s styles while updating them for modern tastes. She is a successful businesswoman living a lavish lifestyle because she has learned to appreciate the little things in life and invest in quality over quantity, and that includes her wardrobe, which is full of classic pieces that focus on quality and durability rather than trends and always make her look polished and put together no matter the occasion. Since Cristal favors wearing basics, fabrics like cashmeres, silks, wool, etc., can contribute to an air of instant opulence when cared for and styled appropriately.
She also has plenty of show-stopping pieces to wear on special occasions or to boost the appeal of an everyday ensemble. She practices moderation in all aspects of her life. She’ll match bold statements with reliable basics by considering their complementary colors, shapes, and textures. She has an appreciation for the inherent elegance of structured forms, such as lines and geometric shapes. She is also aware of the significance of the use of color in this context. Crystals outfits will be made of white, beige, and pastels, or bold, traditionally female colors.
Feminine colors evoke feelings of caring, kindness, and love in people. Similar to Cristal’s nurturing and giving nature, this phrase refers to a love and comprehension that knows no bounds. Colors that are both vivid and highly saturated give off an energizing and striking appearance.
Cristal’s office attire often draws attention, but she does so in a way that commands respect. While both Fallon and Cristal are vying for the COO position, their approaches to the job and their general demeanor couldn’t be more different. While Fallon’s visual dominance is loud and brash, Cristal’s is refined and elegant.
Her professional appearance displays a combination of sensitivity and strength, courage, and admiration for her profession and herself. Cristal defies the stereotype that people with traditionally feminine traits should be dismissed as degrading and weak, especially in the workplace, by maintaining her signature style and demeanor through a scandal at work in episode 5 that has led to her being viewed in a sexualized, naive, and unintelligent manner.
She has a background in public relations, so she always knows how to conduct herself and place herself in any given circumstance, from the way she speaks to the way she dresses and presents herself. She wears a Stella McCartney Ingrid Wood Pique blazer in a light muted pink with a nude undertone rather than red, with matching trousers, and a Stella McCartney blouse off a shade, all accessorized with Bonheur earrings, a Tiffant necklace, a Brahim bag, and Paul andrew pumps for her “Woman of the Year” office and photoshoot.
Together, the monochrome neutrals she so adores and the classic European silhouette they produce give off the opposite of her intended impression of lack of enthusiasm and opinion. Cristal is a driven individual, but she also has to keep up appearances, network, and the Carrington name. Still, there is a lot of room for interpretation here, with lighter, less saturated neutrals conveying more upbeat feelings and darker, more saturated neutrals evoking a somber mood.
She has a well-coordinated wardrobe with a pleasing color palette that allows for easy mixing and matching of her many different styles. Her clothes feature simple silhouettes, refined patterns, and thoughtful uses of color.
She uses color coordination and monochrome dressing as her foundational styling techniques, and the result is a very clean, polished, and streamlined take on modern elegance. Any single color can be used to create a monochromatic look; the use of contrasting shades, as well as prints, textures, and carefully chosen embellishments, are all encouraged in order to add visual interest and shift visual weight.
For example, when she goes to travel on her honeymoon she does so in a cultivated manner as, she is sporting a Ryan Roche “Cashmere Fisherman’s Sweater” – Alice + Olivia pants, and Valentino boots that are accessorized with a Gladys Tamez Millinery hat, Madewell scarf. The outfit consists of varying shades of the same pink-based nude and a hat that is lighter which draws the eye up to the face. The texture of the sweater creates a subtle visual interest that breaks down the proportions of the look and flatters the body.
Another example is when she goes for more bright outfits, she utilizes color coordination in order to ensure harmony between the pieces. Color coordination is the combination of colors that are adjacent to each other within a look. They are matched in order to complement one another as well as the complexion of the person wearing the garment. It’s a practical approach that applies color theory to produce a balanced roundup of color within a look.
In 01×21 Cristal does just this with a Chloé blouse, Valentino pants, and Christian Louboutin leather Sandals. On the color wheel yellow and purple are direct opposites meaning they are complementary- so when combined or mixed, cancel each other out (lose hue) by producing a grayscale color like white or black. When placed next to each other, they create the strongest contrast for those two colors. The detailing of the Chloe top incorporates neutrals and browns that match her complexion, hence creating a look that is colorful, feminine, and sophisticated.
Cristal is not one who holds back from wearing daring looks, she herself is bold yet refined so when she dresses up she indulges in luxury, but in an understated manner that signifies her poise and taste. Parties are constant for the Carringtons and Cristal never shies away from an opportunity to dress in a glamorous manner. Her party dresses will often be statement gowns or dresses that have classic undertones that are complemented by more dainty accessories with intricacies that can only be seen up close. This allows for her beauty to be on display, but draws the eye in even more both from afar and up close with an eye-catching look.
On the opposite end, she does minimal and modern looks in her downtime that are chic and luxurious, yet still laid back in nature. There is an understanding of how to be done up and embrace your natural beauty, without going all out. For example in 01×15 she is wearing a Maison Margiela “Elbow-Patch Wool Turtleneck Sweaterdress” paired off with Gianvito Rossi boots. She uses jewelry, a belt, and a hair clip to add a fine essence to the look that elevates without flaunting, allowing for there to be beauty in the details that adorn her stature, figure, and face. She does this a lot in her free time where she wears outfits that consist of staples made of luxurious materials and paired with simplistic jewelry and a heeled boot to finish off the look.
Maintaining constant awareness and mindfulness- Cristal exemplifies the contemporary woman’s ability to successfully balance career, romantic relationships, and familial responsibilities.
She challenges societal expectations regarding the traditional roles of women, which typically involve prioritizing both family and career.
She exhibits a strong sense of pride in her cultural background and conducts herself with a self-assured demeanor that challenges societal expectations for women, thereby forging her own unique path in life. Cristal’s ability to balance gentleness and strength is evident in her demeanor and attire, resulting in a harmonious blend of sweetness and power. Consequently, she emerges as a formidable presence across various aspects of her life. Cristal’s perspective on refined fashion embodies the symbolic representation of femininity and personal autonomy, aligning her with a cohort of contemporary women who draw inspiration from historical influences while also embracing forward-thinking ideals.
