Spring 2017 The Costume Designer 21
T
he cowboy's distinct silhouette, punctuated
by his hat against an expansive blue sky, is
universally emblematic and evocative of the
American West. The lure of the west as both a geo-
graphic and fictional location is hinged on its unique
appeal and history. Enmeshed in its iconography are
notions of individualism, self-sufficiency, and justice.
As a result, the genre has enjoyed a lasting impact
since the beginning of film and television. Through
the decades, it is as though the other characters of the
genre have come into focus. At first sketched loosely,
Native Americans and indigenous people were painted
with a broad brush. That picture is more refined now,
as we look more closely and seek to honor their experi-
ence as well.
odern
estern
By Anna Wyckoff
The
Son/AMC,
Photo:
Van
Redin
