Although the setting takes place in Atlantic City, NJ, the show is shot in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Location scouting was especially difficult since a boardwalk will be built from scratch. The boardwalk needed to be weather-proof and well supported. The longevity of the show was also questionable at the point of construction. The original boardwalk was built in 1870 and has since been reconstructed and modified many times. Depictions were based on old photographs of beaches and early articles. The art dept. needed to magnify numerous of photos before detailing their final set for the series.
Metropolitan Postcard Club
Since most old photographs were shot in black and white, costumes were designed with the knowledge of popular color combinations in the 1920's. They needed to research old tailoring books with swatches and fabrics. Most men's suits were custom-made right in Brooklyn. Several female costumes are actual vintage outfits rented from Los Angeles. The designers used Prince Edward of Wales as their muse since he was a fashion icon, especially for Nucky's wardrobe.
It is no doubt the Boardwalk Empire is going to make a huge fashion impact. The elaborate outfits of both men and women gives a fresh look back at such a rich era. Their sultry lives reflect their fashion abilities to be explosive. Men in their bold and plaid suits with sharp shoulders; women with beaded chiffons and tight silhouettes. Let's bring back Louise Brooks and Clara Bow!
jeanie
