It is not easy to recreate Aretha’s look. Clint Ramos, the costume designer, didn’t alter Franklin’s Respect outfit. Jennifer Hudson is Dreamgirls’s Dreamgirls Star. He has approximately 80 looks that he designed for film production.
These handmade costumes are very different from those seen in biographical films.RespectThese photos do not reflect Franklin’s actual life style. Ramos used a holistic approach to researching the Queen of Soul. Ramos studied black-and-white photos of her life as well as biographies of those close to him. This knowledge was used in designing a Hudson-specific outfit.“Refinery29: I was astonished when I first saw Aretha’s dresses. He said that he had forgotten all about the dresses. I was able to think of Jennifer and the dresses were left behind.
Ramos spent hours researching Hudson, and drawing with Hudson in order to get to know her. Franklin was Franklin’s first role, Ramos said.RespectShop for Costumes“He said that he was involved with multiple projects at once, and that he would see him occasionally. The number of costumes and clothes I have seen is a clear indication of Jennifer’s importance.
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Jennifer Hudson portrays Aretha Franklin, while Forest Whitaker portrays C.L. Franklin
RESPECT
A Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures film
Photo credit: Quantrell.
