Meet Yellowstone’s costume designer Johnetta Boone and learn how she creates the show’s iconic Western looks.
There’s no denying Yellowstone captured the imagination of viewers as an action-packed, epic family drama highlighting the Western way of life. But the characters’ style created side buzz as The Yellowstone Look introduced a broader audience to Western fashion. Johnetta Boone, Yellowstone's costume designer, is the mastermind behind each character’s wardrobe, ensuring every piece provides insight into the character and storyline. Find out how she got her start and what goes into creating a distinctive look for every cast member.
Cowboys & Indians: First, how did you get started in costume design?
Johnetta Boone: Fantasizing over the work of the greats during my early years as a youth had my heart pumping. It was when I landed my first job as assistant costume designer on Runaway Bride that it became a reality.
C&I: For Yellowstone, did you do any specific research to get started?
Boone: An incredible amount of research was done both practically and specifically. I inherited the show in Season 2. With this in mind, much of the characters were already in place. I had a wonderful template to examine and make my own.
C&I: How do you source the clothes? Is most of it vintage, new, or from somewhere else?
Boone: With such a large cast of speaking and an even larger cast of non-speaking characters, we source from platforms: vintage, new, and custom.
C&I: Do you have a favorite character to dress?
Boone: They actually have their own world which is based upon their role on the show and what compliments their physical makeup. We also rely heavily on the culture and world of ranch life. Authenticity is key. Taylor Sheridan is also amazing, nothing gets past him. He’s our ultimate approval.
C&I: How do you balance or emphasize each character’s look with their personality? For example, Rip wears so much black, but Beth wears a lot of floral dresses.
Boone: Rip’s costume selection is truly based upon his life’s course. He has a rather fragile background. Color would not play a part well for his character nor his position. Beth loves the use of florals and how they soften her dynamic approach to resolving the problems that have been presented to her family’s legacy. Kelly [Reilly] has quite a collection of specialty pieces, which we welcome to Beth’s closet as well. It’s a true balance tailoring each character with their personality, especially with so many of them. Each one as in life wears their own. We can put each one in the same shirt and jeans, each one will have their own flavor that we will accentuate.
C&I: How do you source and come up with the Indigenous looks in the show, including for Monica, Mo, and Chief Rainwater?
Boone: Great question, my preference is to go to the community. It’s important to keep Monica (Kelsey Asbille) connected to her tribe and culture. Several of her pieces are sourced from local Indigenous artisans. Even a few are hers, which she lends. It’s wonderful when we can source one-of-a-kind items for the characters. It keeps it real, lived in, and practical, especially for Mo (Mo Brings Plenty). Chief Rainwater (Gil Birmingham), on the other hand, his look is completely tailored for him. His jewelry and special accrues like his lapel pins are vintage finds.
C&I: You’ve worked on so many amazing cinematic projects, including The Notebook. Is your process the same for every project?
Boone: Thank you for noticing, yes. My approach is actually part of who I am. I bring it to every project. I dive in fully, goggles and all. By adding those I can dive in deeper and see clearly.
C&I: How did you choose to do Yellowstone, and are there other genres you would like to work on?
Boone: Yellowstone chose me. I inherited it. It was passed down and then approved by Taylor Sheridan. I’m thrilled to have been chosen. Actually, we’re chosen for all bodies of what we do. It’s our duty to step in, take the reins and guide the horse. There are many other genres I’d love to work in, absolutely. I prefer to have a wide range of work. Fantasy, more westerns, futuristic, romance, comedy, spy thrillers ... you name it.
C&I: Do you ever hide hints in a character’s costume for the viewers to look for?
Boone: Hidden hints, sometimes yes. They’re treasures. It generally falls in their accessories, patterns, color palettes. It keeps the viewers looking closely. It seems to work, many of them don’t miss a beat.
Learn more about Johnetta’s process for curating a character’s look on Yellowstone.
Photography: (All images) courtesy Chris Douglas Photography
