By Cecilia Sarantopoulos
What’s a coven without its Daniel Selon-curated wardrobe? Still wicked, but not quite as stylish. In Marvel Television’s Agatha All Along, with its first two episodes premiering on Disney+ on September 18, the costumes go beyond mere attire—they become an integral part of characters’ identities. Selon, who also worked on WandaVision, is one of the key creative forces returning to bring Agatha Harkness’ newest adventure to life, where the stakes are higher than ever.
“Every single costume in the show is imbued with lots of different details—things that might not necessarily be seen at first,” Selon shares during an exclusive interview with D23 at the show’s premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on Monday. “If you pause and zoom in, or watch the show again, you’ll notice something new every time. Every little piece adds to the story.”
For Selon, the design process begins with a flurry of visual ideas sparked by the script. “I’m a very visual person,” he says. “I’ll close my eyes and visualize each piece, asking myself, ‘Does this belong?’ Once I decide on an idea, I jot it down or find a reference image to capture the essence.” He’ll then pitch his ideas to creator, showrunner, director, and executive producer Jac Schaeffer and executive producer Mary Livanos—and “do it all over again.”
The wardrobe for Agatha All Along ranges from flowing dresses to austere blazers. Mrs. Hart (Debra Jo Rupp), for instance, is frequently seen in flowery ensembles, reflecting her warm and inviting nature. Agatha Harkness (Kathryn Hahn) is, conversely, cloaked in sharp, sophisticated silhouettes with layers, embodying her enigmatic and reserved nature. The diverting appearance of a black fedora hat and bold cat-eye sunglass nods to Agatha’s sly sense of humor, adding a dash of play to her otherwise formidable wardrobe. “Agatha loves to get down to business. She’s very ‘push up your sleeves and be on your way,’” Selon adds. “The team had to ensure her coat was practical and that her shirt could keep up with her long journey along The Witches’ Road.”
Despite her commanding presence, Agatha experiences moments of vulnerability, often soothed by Teen (Joe Locke), her teenage sidekick. “Teen’s sweater has some details that he put there. We love the story that he knit his own sweater,” Selon reveals. “With each actor, we sat down and had a discussion about how they wanted to feel and how we wanted their character to be perceived by the other characters in each scene.”
While Agatha All Along is packed with sharp dialogue and the occasional petty witch grudge, the rivalry between Agatha and Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza) takes center stage. Sartorially, the competition is fierce, with each outfit adding an element of intrigue—whether it’s whose suit is sharper or whose shirt is crisper. “With Rio’s mysterious aura, not giving away the details of her life or whatever’s going on or what she’s up to, [we ask] how can we support that with the costume design?” Selon adds, “The best part of my job is to get in there and give subtle hints and support or hide things.”
Witchcraft has enchanted imaginations for centuries and served as one of Selon’s primary sources of inspiration. “I went back to Norse mythology and Scandinavian witchcraft, referencing historical periods and rituals,” he says. “The Salem witch trials in Northeastern North America played a significant role in shaping the silhouettes from the show.” Selon also credits nature with influencing his work: “cats, foxes, birds, insects, snakes—all of it.”
For Marvel Comic Book fans, Selon’s right there with you. “It’s crucial for me to revisit the comics,” he says, having worked on several projects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Understanding the origins of these characters and how fans have engaged with them is essential. The wonderful thing about Agatha All Along is that we had the opportunity to expand on characters who may not have had fully fleshed-out stories in the comics and flesh out a new story.”