Costuming Peaks – Audrey Horne in The Pilot Episode

To celebrate the 400th article on TwinPeaksBlog.com, I’m launching “Costuming Peaks,” a new recurring series that examines costumes worn by a variety of characters in Twin Peaks. We begin this journey with a look at Audrey Horne (played by the incomparable Sherilyn Fenn) in the Pilot Episode

COSTUMING TEAM

Patricia Norris served as the Costume Designer for the Pilot Episode. She had previously worked with David Lynch on Blue Velvet and The Elephant Man. Other film credits include Wild at Heart,  Days of Heaven, Scarface, and 12 Years a Salve.

During her career, she received six Oscar nominations, and was the only person to receive Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Costume Designers Guild (in 2007) and the Art Directors Guild (in 2011).

Sadly, she died from natural causes on February 20, 2015. Lynch reflected on Norris’ impact to Twin Peaks an IndieWire.com article in June that year:

“She set the look of ‘Twin Peaks. Again, people talked about the way the characters on ‘Twin Peaks’ were dressed. She’s sort of perfect at everything she does.”

Norris was joined by Ron Leamon as Wardrobe Supervisor and Earl Lewis as Key Costumer.

Leamon has continued designing costumes for films, television series, and commercial productions for over 30 years and has spent years advocating for film production in the Pacific Northwest.

In 2014, he received the Mayor of Seattle’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film. He had also previously worked with Lynch in the costume department for Blue Velvet.

Kristy Ewing who worked as a graphic designer and prop maker for the Pilot Episode, shared this image of Frank Silva, Ron Leamon and her at The Pink Door in Seattle on July 5, 1989. They were working on Disney’s Chips, The War Dog at the time. Leamon was costume designer for that film while Julie Duvic, who served as location liaison for the Pilot Episode, was the Location Manager.

Kristy was famous for drawing the sketch of Bob used in the International Ending as well as selecting the letter “R” found under Laura’s nail. More on that another time. Today, she runs Ewing Creative in Washington state.

Henry Earl Lewis (credited as Earl Lewis), a fellow Blue Velvet alum, worked on costumes for a variety of productions in the 1990s (including Chips, The War Dog). He currently resides overseas as a blogger and teacher.

In 2016, Lewis shared the behind-the-scenes image above from the production of the Pilot Episode. I believe he is the mustachioed-gentleman who is carrying a plastic-wrapped Sheryl Lee. Thank you to Mischa – the gentleman carrying a plastic-wrapped Sheryl Lee is Prop Master Greg McMickle.

AUDREY IN THE PILOT

We are first introduced to Audrey Horne as she leaves the Great Northern Hotel (aka The Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, Washington) on her way to Twin Peaks High.

This scene was shot on the third day of shooting in Snoqualmie Valley on February 23, 1989.

This Publicity image from The Mauve Zone gives a better look at her outfit. Notice the green sweater she is carrying as it will appear later in Season 1.

The amazing Sherilyn Fenn responded to my tweet about this article indicating that, for the most part, she used her own clothes for the costume. I love her! Thank you, Sherilyn.

She crosses to a waiting car waiting to take her to school.

Another publicity shot from The Mauve Zone shows Audrey sitting on a now-removed stone bollard outside The Salish Lodge with Mount Si looming in the background.

Before Audrey gets into the vehicle, the camera freezes on her saddle shoes. According to Sherilyn Fenn in fellow Bookhouse Boy Brad Dukes’ “Reflection: An Oral History of Twin Peaks,” Lynch was insistent on having these shoes (Pages 27-28):

“…David was yelling at [the crew] because they couldn’t find saddle shoes [for Audrey to wear] and he was so insistent. They found an Oxford and had to paint them [laughs].”

The scene ends with Audrey Horne seen sitting in the backseat of the car.

I love this alternate publicity shot from The Mauve Zone as it gives a better look at Audrey’s double-pierced ear. Is that David Lynch in the reflection?

AUDREY AT TWIN PEAKS HIGH

When Audrey gets to Twin Peaks High School, she changes from her black and white saddle shoes into fiery-red, high heels.

This scene was shot on March 4, 1989 along with Bobby Briggs being questioned.

Even the publicity photos shot later showed Sherilyn Fenn changing her shoes. It was clearly an iconic image to remember.

I mean they REALLY liked the red shoes as they were shown again during homeroom roll call.

Audrey Horne in class after hearing the news of Laura’s murder.

THE GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL

Audrey returns to The Great Northern Hotel after class was dismissed. She continues to sport the pink top and plaid skirt while causing trouble at the Concierge Desk.

We can see she’s changed back into her saddle shoes when she bothers the Norwegians. These two scene scene was shot on March 18, 1989.

Stay tuned for a look at Audrey’s outfits from Episodes 1001-1007 in Season 1.