#character styling

"Whenever I find a cool new place, I think about going together. Plus, you're always the first person I want to show my new traps to." 🩷💜

STYLING CHARACTERS #018: THIRTEEN

EPISODE THEORY — May Grant’s Red Era is not accidental

ok besties.

we need to talk about May.

because the 9-1-1 behind-the-scenes clip with Dana from the hair department? i did not just watch it.

i studied it.

and the moment the camera landed on Corinne Massiah, something clicked.

this isn’t random. this isn’t “she just looks pretty.” this is intentional.

let’s break it down.

1. The Charity Auction Theory

first thought: this is the rumored charity action episode. the one where the 118 members might be auctioned off for a cause.

and if you’ve been around long enough, you know episodes like that are never just filler.

they create unexpected pairings. unexpected conversations. unexpected tension.

they shift dynamics.

so yes — as an Eddie/May hopeful, i am legally required to be delusional for a second.

but even removing ships from the equation, this kind of episode is designed to disrupt the usual emotional order.

and May’s look screams disruption.

2. The Look Is a Narrative Choice

we are used to May being:

• neutral • composed • clean lines • controlled elegance

even at formal events, she stays restrained.

this?

this is different.

this is not “cute May.” this is not “Athena’s daughter”

this is a woman.

the dress is structured. it defines her silhouette. it doesn’t hide. it declares.

the neckline is intentional. the buttons are bold. the color?

red.

and red is not subtle.

red is presence. red is competition. red says: look at me.

and the hair? soft, Hollywood waves. not practical. not everyday.

this is performance.

and when a character performs visually, it usually means something is shifting internally.

3. She’s Dressing for Someone

and here’s the part that got me.

this doesn’t feel like “i dressed up because it’s a gala.”

this feels like:

i want to be seen differently.

when someone has known you forever, when they’ve boxed you into a version of yourself, the only way to change their perception is to break the visual pattern.

you show up as someone they haven’t accounted for.

and May has always been the responsible one. the supportive daughter. the emotional glue.

this look says:

i am more than that.

4. The Bigger Pattern

let’s be honest.

this season has given focus to:

• Bobby’s death and the grief ripple • Athena moving forward • Harry stepping into the firefighter role • Hen’s illness • Chimney’s captain arc • Eddie’s unresolved trauma • Buck’s emotional evolution • upcoming crossover chaos

May?

background.

we know she lives alone. we don’t know her job. we don’t know her friendships. we don’t know her romantic life.

she’s been orbiting other people’s arcs.

so what if this episode is the pivot?

what if this is the moment the show says:

we didn’t forget her.

5. Why I Don’t Think It’s Ravi

and let me say this objectively.

it’s not about personal preference.

Ravi has not been developed consistently for nine seasons. he appears, disappears, supports scenes — but he hasn’t been structurally built.

you don’t suddenly anchor a major character evolution to someone the audience hasn’t been emotionally prepared for.

if they wanted that arc, they would’ve started earlier.

this feels bigger than that.

6. The Scheduling Clue

Corinne and Elijah were supposed to film the episode of their podcast "The Aftermath Show" this week.

they postponed.

because their shooting schedule is packed.

and Corinne has openly said in the past she usually has fewer scenes.

so if suddenly she doesn’t?

that’s not random.

that’s plot movement.

Final Thought

this feels like a renaissance moment.

not just aesthetically.

narratively.

May in red isn’t just pretty. it’s symbolic.

it’s transition. it’s autonomy. it’s desire.

and maybe — finally — it’s her story.

what do you think?

been thinking a lot about Rhaenyra Targaryen and her style recently, the literal it girl of Westeros!

what’s my dream job you ask? being kory’s stylist

so here is how i would style kory bc i loved the model plot from the original comics so i’m going with that

this is for fun, not anything too serious

that being said, i will focus on a look for an in universe met gala look since the real one is coming up anyways. the theme is ‘Fashion Is Art’ so for kory, we are going tamaranean couture. we’re nit foing basic renaissance inspired looks. that’s NOT what the fans wanna see

so without further ado, let’s get into it!

🌺 core concept: “heritage in motion”

tamaranean art (in my head) is basically:

* love as structure

* nature as memory

* strength as protection, not aggression

* and everything is meant to move, breathe, and be alive

silhouette direction/structure

think:

* long, uninterrupted column gown (regal base)

* layers that float like they’re not fully attached to reality

* draping that behaves like it has feelings

basically: if fabric could emotionally process things, this is what it would look like.

🎨 colour story (aka she is the sun and the sunset at the same time)

we’re building a gradient situation:

* solar gold (identity / “hello i am the light source”)

* starfire orange (energy + chaos but in a good way)

* coral / deep coral (emotion, connection, softness)

* raspberry undertone (depth, memory, “i have lore actually”)

nothing flat. everything looks like it’s glowing from the inside. basically like her home planet embodied

texture + details (this is where it gets nerdy)

instead of literal symbols we’re doing:

* embroidered flow lines = community / connection / storytelling

* circular beadwork = unity / orbit / togetherness

* vine-like patterning = life + nature + “we respect the planet actually”

* feather-like stitching = flight / resilience / freedom

🪽 accessories (minimal but emotionally loaded)

* sculptural gold cuffs (strength, but make it fashion)

* collarbone piece instead of necklace (because jewellery is too normal)

* earrings that look like they were designed by a museum curator and a solar flare collaborating

no clutter. she’s not a clothing rack, she’s a cultural event.

💫 hair + makeup

first for hair? the bigger the better

i wouldn’t overly style it. her natural hair fits her the best. it’s voluminous, it’s gorgeous, it’s unique. i’m not touching it

now makeup: i feel like she doesn’t need much but i would work with her features, not against them

i like the idea of soft or romantic, glowy glam for her so glossy lips, a little blush, highlighter. things that work with her glow rather than dim it

📸 how it photographs

under flash:

* embroidery turns into constellations

* gold becomes liquid light

* layers look like they’re moving even when she’s still

🪐 final verdict

she’s not just “dressed for the Met”

she’s a walking archive of a culture nobody else in the room has access to

and that’s why she will absolutely break the internet

First off: WHAAAAT 😹

On to the clothes!

Lance "Zeus" Tucker is flashy as balls.

So I think we all know what he wore:

And he loved it. He wanted all the ryes to be on him, and he got what he wanted. And good for him.

"I have a suggestion. How about we share the bed." ✒️❤️