How to Ruin Christmas: The Funeral is a quintessential dramedy. It’s fun yet emotionally affecting, with lots of excitement along the way. But it isn’t only the plot twists that make an impact on viewers: the characters’ wardrobes demand attention all on their own. Bright colors, bold patterns and beautiful textures make every outfit visually pleasing, but they also do more than just look good. Costume designer Sheli Masondo made sure that each aesthetic choice highlighted the various characters’ most important personality traits.
As fans of How To Ruin Christmas know, Tumi Sello’s (Busi Lurayi) tendency to get into trouble drives much of the show’s plot. Her bright and funky style embodies her irrepressible spirit. “Tumi's robust color choices reflect her impulsive and daring personality,” Masondo tells Tudum, recalling the neon orange mesh coveralls Tumi wears in Episode1 of the new season and the studded leather jacket she dons for its titular funeral. Though Tumi and Beauty (Thando Thabethe) are sisters, their temperaments couldn’t be more different, and neither could their clothing. Where Tumi’s clothes are in-your-face, Beauty’s are much more soft and feminine. “Beauty is the princess of social media and her family,” the designer explains. “We needed to express that in her choice of pastels, nudes and floral patterns.”
Valencia Twala’s (Charmaine Mtinta) sartorial self-expression is perhaps more explicit than that of any other character in the series because she’s actually shown shopping and is very clearly obsessed with her own image and all things extravagant. While the Dolce & Gabbana belt Valencia proudly displays on her waist in Episode 2 may initially suggest that she’s only into widely known designer labels, Masondo says that’s not the case. “Valencia has the top African fashion designers on speed dial,” she explains. “Although she does have a few items from international brands in her closet, the strong bond she has with African designers is evident in her looks for the entire show.” For fashion lovers, these looks are the highlight of the show. And as hard as it is to choose, Masondo shares that her favorite piece from Valencia’s wardrobe is the red ball gown she wears to welcome Sbu (Sandile Mahlangu) and Beauty home in the premiere episode.
Valencia’s designer choices aren’t the only way that Masondo gave nods to South African culture in the show’s wardrobes. Characters like Dineo Sello (Clementine Mosimane), Aunt Grace (Rami Chuene) and Lydia Twala (Swankie Mafoko) sport traditional prints through various elements of their outfits, which Masonda says is reflective of the country’s style. “South African textiles have been a favorite amongst South Africans for decades now, when they have family gatherings and traditional celebrations,” she shares. “The current trends have influenced the evolution of African textile styling, so playing with the patterns and style was very organic for me.”
Masonda says that the costumes that are most authentic to traditional Zulu life were created for Siya Twala (Trevor Gumbi) and Aunt Prudence (Thembi Nyandeni). “Siya is seen on several occasions in his church gear,” the designer says. “Aunt Prudence’s wardrobe is also about showcasing rural Zulu women of Msinga who embrace culture.” The aunty often wears a large handmade red woolen isicholo, which is a Zulu hat worn by women. She also adorns herself with waist beads and a kaross — a sheepskin cape — in every scene. Even the less traditional wardrobes are packed with local culture. Masonda calls Gogo Twala (Nandi Nyembe) the “most stylish,” as she dresses in what the designer describes as a mixture of Johannesburg and Umlazi streetwear for her final night out with Tumi. With clothes and accessories, Masondo pays homage to South African culture and the characters’ wildly different personalities and roles. And the results? They’re as vibrant as everything else in the show.
