Hanna Puley, the acclaimed costume designer for the series 'Heated Rivalry', offers insights into her stylistic choices for the show's lead actors, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie. Despite their recent red-carpet appearance in high-fashion attire, Puley intentionally crafted a wardrobe for their on-screen personas, two covertly gay professional hockey players, that prioritizes accessibility and subtlety, eschewing overt designer labels. This deliberate approach aims to ground the characters in relatable authenticity while subtly conveying aspects of their hidden lives.
Puley's design philosophy gained unexpected viral attention when a simple Team Canada Sochi Olympics fleece jacket, worn by Williams' character, Shane Hollander, in the second episode, sparked a social media frenzy. Fans' enthusiastic response led to an online petition advocating for the jacket's inclusion in official Olympic merchandise, much to Puley's surprise. She explains that her intention was to create comfortable, wearable pieces for Hollander that reflect his Canadian heritage and provide a visual contrast to Storrie's character, Ilya Rozanov, whose more flamboyant clothing choices, such as vibrant Hawaiian shirts, are subtly imbued with "queer coded" elements, signaling his hidden identity within the hyper-masculine world of ice hockey.
The collaborative efforts of Puley, director Jacob Tremblay, and author Rachel Reid have been instrumental in the show's widespread appeal, particularly among female viewers. Puley's strategic costuming, which she playfully admits was partly designed to subtly draw in a broader male audience, has contributed to 'Heated Rivalry' challenging conventional industry beliefs about the marketability of LGBTQ+ themed dramas. Looking ahead to the second season, Puley anticipates that while Ilya's fashion will likely continue to express his inner self, Shane's style may evolve with more understated yet significant "queer coded" details, symbolizing his journey of self-discovery.
The success of 'Heated Rivalry' underscores the growing demand for authentic and nuanced LGBTQ+ narratives in mainstream media. By focusing on character-driven costume design that subtly communicates identity and narrative themes, the series not only resonates deeply with its audience but also paves the way for more inclusive and diverse storytelling in the entertainment industry. This thoughtful approach highlights the power of visual storytelling to connect with viewers on a profound level, fostering understanding and acceptance.