How Redfall and Starfield’s Style Ended Up at a Real-Life Fashion Gala

Gaming style has existed for decades – from Master Chief’s signature Mark IV helmet to the swashbuckling styles in Sea of Thieves.  As time has passed, newer, more flexible forms of artistic expression in games such as collectibles skins and custom character creators have become popular. It is just as, if no more important than what we wear on ourselves to put something on our virtual body.

Games can also inspire real-world outfits, and that has been deftly showcased at this year’s ELLE Gala, which took place in Stockholm. Two unique outfits based on upcoming games were displayed as part of a show with Bethesda. These outfits, which were designed exclusively for this event and have never been seen before, are not to be found anywhere else.

Ingrid Norberg, a designer from Norway, and Linn Herrmander are both designers who were given the chance to design the outfits inspired by Redfall or Starfield. Norberg designed a sleek and edgy look inspired by Redfall’s postapocalyptic universe, while Hermander went for an interstellar retro aesthetic similar to that of Starfield.

The original sketches of the designs were shown to us. We asked the designers what inspired them, how they worked, and why this collaboration was so special.

Lady In Red(fall)

Ingrid Norberg, the designer of the Redfall design took a different approach. She chose to go for a grungier look while maintaining the GALA classic style.

“I got hooked on the slightly hip-hop street style hit by an apocalypse,” Norberg says. “The colors are clear and at the same time soiled in their shades, which creates a lovely feeling of constant twilight.”

This outfit features a purple hoodie slouched over a military belt. Fishnet tights are visible through the frayed edges of dark blue jeans. A khaki skirt with an attached trail is used to tie the ensemble together.

Norberg has sought to convey Redfall’s setting through the design and explains that it’s worn by a woman from a modern, functioning, contemporary background and has been thrust into a world where survival is the most important thing.

“I think that the look has evolved as the clothes have been broken, redesigned and given new features,” Norberg explains. “Functional elements such as zippers and buckles versus the purple hoodie and jeans become a crossover between the military and street wear.”

“But I couldn’t forget that I was doing something that would work at a Gala after all. It was the skirt which has a longer, draped-side. That was my little gala nod.”

Using new fabrics would’ve been the most time-efficient way to create the outfit – and Norberg tells us that time was of the essence on this project. However, using brand new materials didn’t create the recycled, apocalyptic vibe that Norberg was looking for, so they had to get creative.

“I prefer to work with reused materials anyway I can for environmental reasons,” they add. “The only reasonable thing was simply to sit down in front of a good movie and slash up a bunch of old cargo pants and jeans from second hand.”

Norberg wants fashion video games to become a more creative outlet for designers.

“It’s fun with fashion and people might get more ways to identify with the games and the different worlds that provide fantastic escapism,” they say. “The fact that Xbox and Bethesda are represented by these looks at the ELLE Gala in connection with the release feels like a smart and fun move that I hope is made more in the future!”

NASA – The Devil wears it

For the Starfield gown, designer Linn Hermander explains that she was quickly inspired by the space fashion trend that blossomed in the 1960’s, which tied together elements of retro and futurism. Starfield’s design is described as “NASA punk,” mixing classic space looks with a choppy, swashbuckling feel.

“It was important to me that the look should not feel like a costume,” Hermander explains. “Even though cosplay is so incredibly cool, I wanted to emphasize that you can combine fashion and games. Both can easily be completely different, but they don’t have to be.

“I wanted to create something that felt cool and fashionable while clearly relating to Starfield.”

Two parts make up the outfit. This dress has a left side with two cutouts that are asymmetrical and a sleeveless upper half. The skirt-like front portion of the dress ends at the knee. The color palette is a mix of rich blues and greys, inspired by “the view of space through the window of a well-loved spacecraft.”

The coat is inspired by the Constellation spacesuit worn by members of Starfield.

“I wanted to create something that felt protective, hence the jacket is padded and very large,” Hermander says. “It should envelop the wearer like a spacesuit protects an astronaut.”

Hermander said that Starfield was a unique universe with many different sources of inspiration.

“It is always a challenge to make your visions a reality.” Hermander tells us. “Starfield is a whole new world with so much inspiration to get and when you do something like this, you really want it to be just right. The material, fit and accessory choices are all carefully considered. But thanks to everyone involved, this collaboration has gone very smoothly!”

Hermander states that working with large corporations so early in a career was a dream for most.

“My eyes have really been opened to how rewarding cross-industry collaborations are,” they say. “There are so many ways to express creativity and it is only right that we put our heads together.”

S & PC from May 2.|S and PC on May 2. Starfield is exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 6. Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass allow you to play both titles on day 1.