‘Hacks’: Jean Smart’s ‘Queen of Hearts’ Party Dress Was Made From Real Playing Cards That Were Hand-Stitched On

Costume designers of HBO shows break down key outfits and looks from the season.

By Jazz Tangcay

Jazz Tangcay

Artisans Editor

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“Hacks” costume designer Kathleen Felix-Hager came across the script for Episode 3 of the show’s final season, and there was one line that stood out: “Deborah shows up in a dress made of playing cards.”

Since it was early in prep, Felix-Hager had time to consider what that would look like. It was through conversations with the showrunners Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky and coming up with sketches that she landed on a “Queen of Hearts”-inspired red dress. Rory Cunningham, Head of Workroom, created the dress, which was made of three pieces: a corseted strapless gown, a bolero jacket, and a skirt that hooks on. “There are all real playing cards that are stitched on that dress,” Felix-Hager explained.

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