Costumer Teases if Timothée Chalamet Wears Bob Dylan’s Actual Clothes in A Complete Unknown movie

Costume Designer Arianne Phillips had her work cut out for her while dressing actor Timothée Chalamet for A Complete Unknown, the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic. At the Hamilton Behind the Camera Awards on November 11, she revealed that securing Dylan's actual clothes was impossible. "Bob Dylan is keeping a tight hold on his clothes," Phillips stated.

She confirmed that she made several attempts to access any authentic Dylan attire. However, she faced consistent setbacks. "No, I didn't," she replied when asked about acquiring the musician's clothing. Phillips, who previously collaborated with director James Mangold on Walk the Line, noted the difficulty wasn't unique to Dylan. Similar challenges arose when dressing Johnny Cash and June Carter.

The designer experienced comparable obstacles while working on looking back at historical figures in Madonna's W.E. and Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Ultimately, she had more access to resources for those projects. In discussing Dylan, she stated, "I don't think Bob wanted to give up his clothes. They're hanging in his closet."

Chalamet’s Dedication to the Role

Despite the wardrobe challenges, Phillips praised Chalamet's dedication in transforming into the iconic musician. She noted his willingness to accommodate multiple fittings around his schedule. "He was so generous with his time," she explained. "He would come for fitting before or after recording music or attending a guitar lesson."

For this film, Chalamet took on numerous skills, including guitar and harmonica lessons. Phillips remarked, "He is very focused and a dream collaborator." With almost 70 costume changes required for the film, fitting sessions became essential.

Phillips believes Chalamet's interpretation of Dylan holds significant value. His performance and respect for the legendary artist will likely "inspire a lot of young people who maybe don't know who Bob Dylan is."