Dune: Part Two is already a cult

As fans eagerly anticipate the sequel for two years, Dune : Part Two finally arrives on the big screen, promising an equally captivating adventure. Delayed over two years after the first chapter due to strikes, the saga will be released on February 28th, depicting the future of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya) among the Fremen and whether they will succeed in finally freeing the planet of Arrakis from the Harkonnen house, while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed Paul's family. In September 2021, the first part was a huge success among cinephiles, surpassing all expectations by grossing nearly $400 million at the global box office and receiving 10 Oscar nominations, including nods for Best Makeup and Best Costume, underscoring the attention to visual detail. Although these awards were not won, the focus on visual details is widely felt. If you need to refresh your memory or haven't had the chance to experience this adventure yet, don't worry: Warner Bros studio has scheduled a re-release of Dune: Part One in theaters starting February 7th.

Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, and Stephen McKinley Henderson will reprise their roles from the first installment in Dune: Part Two. They will be joined by impressive new faces, among which a French actress stands out. Florence Pugh will portray the role of Princess Irulan, while Christopher Walken will take on the role of Emperor Shaddam IV. Léa Seydoux will play Lady Margot, and Austin Butler will portray Feyd-Rautha, Paul's main adversary. Today, these names are the stars of an unparalleled marketing campaign, a red carpet that, night after night, turns into a celebration of some masterpieces of archive fashion. Last night, Zendaya appeared at the London premiere in a Mugler FW95 Couture dress and Bulgari jewelry, while Anya Taylor-Joy honored an old Dior collection with a custom-made dress by the house.

The remarkable quality of costumes and makeup in Dune: Part One continues in Dune: Part Two. Under the direction of Jacqueline West and Robert Morgan, a team of over two hundred artists brought to life over a thousand wardrobe creations with sculptural silhouettes and exotic fabrics, merging timeless elegance with a touch of futurism. This attention to detail transports viewers into a world where fashion meets functionality, with each outfit evoking the iconic aesthetic of the Dune universe. Past directors, such as David Lynch in his 1984 adaptation, offered their own dark, expressionistic vision of the "Dune" aesthetic with imposing sets and an eerie atmosphere, while Denis Villeneuve, in the recent adaptation, favored a contemporary and immersive approach blending elements of realism with futuristic aesthetics. This evolution in interpreting the "Dune" aesthetic showcases how futurism and retrofuturism continue to influence and shape contemporary artistic creativity, reinventing iconic worlds for a new generation of viewers. Concurrently, we continue to observe this trend in other domains, such as artistic creativity, as evidenced by the Spring-Summer 2024 haute couture show of Schiaparelli.

On the makeup front, from sophisticated prosthetics to meticulous details, each element contributes to bringing the characters to life and enhancing immersion in this captivating and futuristic world. The impact of makeup has even extended beyond the screen, inspiring celebrities like Grimes, who sported a "Dune-esque" makeup look for her appearance at the 2021 Met Gala. This influence has also been felt among the general public, with a myriad of tutorials on social media demonstrating "Dune-inspired" looks. This trend of films and series exerting significant influence in makeup continues to grow. The impact of series like Euphoria on beauty trends in 2019 is a clear testament, where social media enthusiasts embraced bold and avant-garde looks, drawing inspiration from iconic characters like Rue and Jules. Moreover, franchises like The Witcher have also sparked the creativity of amateur makeup artists, with tutorials dedicated to recreating the character marks and special effects of the fantasy series. This convergence between the world of cinema and series and the TikTok community has created a dynamic space where makeup enthusiasts can share their screen-inspired interpretations, thus contributing to shaping current beauty trends on the platform. As the release of Dune: Part Two approaches on February 28th, excitement is at its peak. This long-awaited sequel promises an even deeper immersion into the captivating world of Dune, offering viewers, whether longtime fans or newcomers, an unforgettable adventure.