Steal the Volturi's look: Their wardrobe secrets from The Twilight Saga: New Moon

The Volturi are led by the central trio of Aro (acclaimed British actor Michael Sheen), Caius (Jamie Campbell Bower, Anthony from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) and Marcus (Christopher Heyerdahl, TV’s Nuremberg), ancients that have lived for over 3,000 years and once included in their midst, Carlisle Cullen (Peter Facinelli) until he broke away. We’re given a peek into this period of existence prior to the events of Twilight during the 18th Century and here we see them kitted out in the elaborate and decorative styles of the day, as costume designer Tish Monaghan explains.

“For their 18th Century look, I settled on the beginnings of the modern suit, with a slim coat to their knees,” she says. “They wear breeches and long hose and muslin shirts with a stock around their neck. Aro is dressed in the lightest clothing of them all.” This colour coding denotes ranking, with Aro’s superiority as the informal head of the Volturi mirrored in his clothes.

However as the centuries pass, these visual clues change as Monaghan continues: “In the contemporary world black is the indication of status and power and he’s [Aro’s] the darkest – as Stephenie Meyer says, Aro was the darkest of all.” And along with Aro’s fellow ancients, Caius and Marcus, the vampire boasting the next darkest shade, is one of the Volturi’s loyal guards – the diminutive Jane (Dakota Fanning). “After Aro, Jane is next,” confirms the costumer, the gifted vampire wearing a “custom cloak that is sweetness and sinister combined.”

Following Jane down this colour code from black to grey are other members of the Volturi guards, Demetri (newcomer Charlie Bewley), Felix (Daniel Cudmore, Colossus in X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand), and Jane’s twin, Alec (Cameron Bright, Aaron Eckhart’s onscreen son in Thank You for Smoking).

Helping the shades of grey and black stand out are many touchable and textile fabrics, such as the satin ribbon and velvet lushness of Jane’s aforementioned cape, the bobbly wool effect of Felix and Demetri’s coats and the sheeny (no pun intended) shine of Aro’s suit. While added to this are dramatic bursts of red that heighten the contrast and up the gothic quality, like Caius’s shirt and scarf. Oh and they have red eyes, but that’s another story for another time (or indeed another Steal the Style blog post – look out for it coming soon).

All together these very elegant old vampires might not get out shopping much, yet they still more than manage to intimidate and impress with their regal robes.

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