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Game of Thrones’ Sansa Stark and Daenerys Targaryen go head to head in fashion ‘duel’, but who will win?
Growing rivalry between the females – portrayed by English actresses Sophie Turner and Emilia Clarke – has wowed viewers of the HBO series, just like their stunning costumes
Growing rivals Sansa Stark (left), portrayed by Sophie Turner, and Daenerys Targaryen, played by Emilia Clarke, in HBO’s Game of Thrones. Photos: HBO
The internet is still reeling from Season 8, Episode 5 of HBO’s fantasy television series, Game of Thrones.
There are so many questions to be answered in the forthcoming final episode.
One of the interesting subplots that we need answered is what happens in the growing rivalry between Sansa Stark, portrayed by English actress Sophie Turner, and Daenerys Targaryen, played by another English actress, Emilia Clarke.
Last week’s episode may have left viewers wanting to tell Sansa to watch out, but let’s not forget Westeros has put The Lady of Winterfell through the ringer: she’s not going to bend the knee so easily.
Although there is no consensus on how Season 8 will play out, one thing most people can agree on is that the costuming in Game of Thrones is undeniably fashion at it’s finest. These noteworthy designs are e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.
From the constitution and structure of every piece, to the rich textures and detailing of each design, these looks have been turning heads, inspiring runway looks and giving subtle hints about each characters’ storylines since Season 1.
In a recent interview, the show’s long-standing costume visionary, Michele Clapton said: “I continue to use costume design and details to express each character’s state of mind.
I use costume design and details to express each character’s state of mind. I love this sense of storytelling. It’s very subliminal
“I love this sense of storytelling. It’s very subliminal, but when fans rewatch episodes, they often spot clues that they may have missed the first time.”
Sansa Stark, portrayed by English actress Sophie Turner, in Game of Thrones.
Sansa’s style has been heavily influenced by other women in her life and gives distinct nods to House Stark.
Daenerys’ fashions are more heavily influenced by different cultures and locations that she is visiting.
From the use of colours, symbolism, culture and house sigils, check out some of these two leading ladies’ most memorable looks.
First impressions
Our first glimpse of a young Daenerys Targaryen (right), portrayed by Emilia Clarke, with Viserys Targaryen, played by Harry Lloyd, in Season 1 of Game of Thrones.
In Season 1, we are introduced to a young Daenerys. She is powerless as her brother, Viserys, is preparing to trade her to a Dothraki leader in exchange for warriors who will help him take back the Iron Throne.
Her style here reflects her innocence and shows how delicate she is at this point. She is dressed in a soft, silky dress that is easy to slip off. She is not yet wearing her signature braids; instead, her loose blonde waves pair well with the flowing fabric of the dress.
The sleeves are fastened together with her house sigil; the dragon. The sheer material shows off her bare body beneath and is clearly meant to show her purpose; property to be desired, controlled and consumed.
The young Sansa Stark (right), played by Sophie Turner, in her opening scene in Game of Thrones.
Our introduction to Sansa is also at a young age. She’s naive and eager to please.
At first glance she’s modelling the provincial chic fashions of the North. She can always be found dressing like a northern lady in heavy fabric, accompanied by a cloak and furs.
This number is exactly that; a soft baby blue dress, with embroidered detailing finished off with powder blue outerwear.
In her early days, we see her passion for embroidery and aspirations of finer things reflected in her style. It makes sense as she is trying to snag herself a prince.
Verdict: While we hate what Daenerys’ style represents, her dress (with nipple covers) is clearly the more fashion forward of the looks.
Warrior wear/ battle-ready
Daenerys Targaryen, played by Emilia Clarke, dressed in the white fur coat that sparked huge social media discussion.
In Season 7, Daenerys broke the internet with this white fur coat. She’s left behind her warm climate cut-outs and flowing gowns.
Now she is in the North and has taken furs to the next level. This is the official “Winter is Coming” look.
The coat is made from multiple types of fake fur, leather and hemmed with course rabbit fur. The fitted structure comes from the corset-style bodice that was used as a base.
The gold panelling in the back is made to contrast the creamy white fur as it moves in the wind. But it wouldn’t be Daenerys without a hint of dragon.
Clapton said: “I guess to some extent the ribbed effect created by the construction has the feel of a dragon’s skin.”
Daenerys’ fierce battle-ready look is finished off with a heavy silver dragon chain. This look is truly fitting for a queen who is going beyond the wall to save The King of the North.
In Season 8, we see Sansa at her strongest and she has established herself as a leader in the wolf pack.
Sansa’s loyalty to her family lineage and desire to protect their home are stronger than ever. This is reflected in her Season 8 look where she finally gets battle-ready armour and it doesn’t disappoint.
Her armour is purposely made from leather instead of metal, but fits across her torso just as a traditional shield would.
“It’s not about protection, it’s a statement!” Clapton said. “Sansa’s armour is a direct reaction to Dany’s assertion of power.”
Sansa’s armour is a direct reaction to Dany’s assertion of power ... it’s not about protection, it’s a statement
The stunning leather look is paired with a new version of her circle-and-needle necklace from earlier seasons.
Comfortably asserting her position in Winterfell, her hair styling is inspired by her mother and she cloaks her armour with a long coat with a traditional northern fur.
Verdict: Both these warrior-queen custom looks are show-stoppers. They both speak to the strength and power of their characters. It’s definitely a tie and the future is female.
Wedding belles
The Grecian-inspired wedding dress of Daenerys Targaryen, played by Emilia Clarke.
Daenerys’ wedding is not one of choice, however; her dress is structured to fit the shape of her body, but not be too revealing. The dress was made using a long opaque, light, lavender material.
While still flowing like her first garments, this bodice offers more support and the dress marks the beginning of discovering a new identity as a Khalesi.
Her new status is one where she will become more powerful and respected. Though she doesn’t yet love her Dothraki King, we are here for this Grecian-inspired look, set against the backdrop of the sea.
Sansa Stark, played by Sophie Turner, dressed on her wedding day.
Talk about a nightmare! Sansa escapes the cruelty of Kings Landing only to be handed over to Ramsay Bolton.
At this point in Sansa’s story she is unsure of her fate and is playing the game to survive.
Although no longer as naive as she was, she still wears her innocence on her face. This is in strong contrast to her beautifully sombre bridal gown.
This look exudes everything ideal about a woodsy winter wedding. The knit gown is heavy with a long train and scrunched-tied sleeves. The design is a tribute to her return to her family home in the North.
The dress gives a nod to House Stark with the high-caped collar made of fur and a nod to House Tully with the striking fish clap closures on the front.
Clapton said that the statues in the family crypt inspired the strong structural construction of the gown.
Verdict: Sansa’s gown is a solid statement piece. Although the eve of her wedding was shockingly cruel, the strong textures and details say she’s dressed to kill. This winter wedding look is a win!
The winged shoulder
The closely tailored outfit worn by Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in Season 7 of Game of Thrones.
Clarke, who portrays Daenerys, has a naturally small frame. So when dressing for Westeros, adding features to her shoulders gave her a broader, more powerful appearance.
In Season 7, Daenerys hits a power stance as she comes home to Westeros. She is showing her growing dominance through her style.
She still dons her now signature dress-and-trouser combo with boots. Her closely tailored look here is finally linked to House Targaryen colours; charcoal and red.
The mainly black leather outfit has hints of red detailing across the bust fanning out through the shoulders.
The look grows with each episode and sees the addition of more red fabrics and a chain with her house sigil – the three-headed dragon.
The shapes, contours, high collar, and pointed shoulder construction are also reminiscent of Viserys’ attire. It’s as though she has entirely assumed the power behind her family name that her brother once possessed.
The iconic dark dress, with a feather-covered bodice and winged sleeves, worn by Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones.
By the end of Season 4, we are saying goodbye to naive Sansa.
She is fully playing the game and embraces her dark side. She emerges like a phoenix at the end of the season in a dark dress with a feather-covered bodice that extends out into winged sleeves.
The look is emboldened with the first version of her circle-and-needle necklace. The circle symbolises strength and the needle keeps her connected to her sister, Arya.
The black colour, raven feathers, pointed sleeves and low neckline defy everything we’ve seen from Sansa up until this point.
Verdict: This is one of Sansa’s most iconic looks. She’s finally stepping out from her “little dove” persona and showing her style with a look that she’s crafted.
Although it was a close race, the raven wings paired with the circle and needle accessory adds the extra flair needed to edge out Daenerys.
While Sansa comes out ahead in this race, find out how the rivalry ends in the series finale of Game of Thrones, shown at the same time as the US – on Monday at 9am in Hong Kong on HBO GO and HBO.