Showcasing The Glitz: Costume Design on "The Righteous Gemstones"

Three distinctly unique worlds—televangelism, high-fashion couture, and drag performance art—collide to influence the extravagant style of “The Righteous Gemstones,” a boisterous satire about Southern megachurch elites concluding its fourth and final season on Sunday. The show centers on the Gemstones, wealthy adult siblings who’ve inherited their parents’ thriving megachurch and television empire nestled in South Carolina. “They’re constantly in the spotlight,” remarked costume designer Christina Flannery in a discussion with CNN. These characters, who seem forever engaged in a grand game of dress-up, favor apparel adorned with sequins, sumptuous silks, and bold shoulder pads—sometimes even donning capes to make a dramatic exit. Even their supposedly laid-back moments at home serve to showcase their extravagant attire, resembling the gaudy grandeur of costumes children imagine for glamorous adults (the Gemstone siblings are particularly immature). Given their considerable wealth and the devotion of thousands hanging on their every sermon each Sunday, what is the nature of their church attire? “Absolutely more and more sequins,” Flannery confirms.

While “The Righteous Gemstones” displays a certain fondness for its deeply flawed characters, the series eagerly mocks the excesses of the Southern megachurch. With sprawling pews filled with congregants, an evangelical fervor, and technology akin to that of a major concert venue, the Gemstones’ church is not far removed from actual one. The satire extends to critique trendy “hypepriests,” as seen through the lens of Kelvin and his companion-turned-lover, Keefe. Flannery draws inspiration from fashion figures renowned for their flamboyant style to craft the Gemstones’ distinctive look. Televangelist Jim Bakker, for example, favored voluminous hair and exaggerated silhouettes, reminiscent of character Judy’s fashion. Notably, the vibrant world of drag has been a surprising yet rich source of inspiration for Flannery’s work on “Gemstones.” “The influences feed off each other,” Flannery observed, referencing this unique blend.

While the Gemstone family’s political inclinations remain deliberately vague, the women of the family navigate their lives within staunchly conservative evangelical circles. Judy, rarely seen in less than formal attire, exudes an awkward air with her skirt suits and permanently styled hair. “It’s like a pageant,” remarks Flannery regarding Judy’s conceptualization of femininity, noting that shows like “Toddlers & Tiaras” have inspired some of her more childish outfit choices.