The director asked for a sense that this play is not in any specific period, therefore it was fair game to draw from ANY period (which would also heighten the "alienation effect"). The historically accurate fashion of the 30 Year's War was far too fussy for him, and felt a clean edged, more 20th century feeling would be appropriate. The general look for the armies draws heavily from the uniform of WWI.

Color was used sparingly. Red was used symbolically in Yvette's boots and hat, and also in the scarf worn by Swiss Cheese (which the director had Mother Courage unravel when the dead Swiss Cheese was taken away). After Kattrin's rape, her jumper remained unbuttoned and a red undergarment was visible, one she could not keep covered.

 

Design copywright 1999 by Gion DeFrancesco