Episode Overview

Podcast: The Who What Wear Podcast
Host: Hilary Kerr (B)
Guest: Negar Ali Kline, Costume Designer (A)
Episode: “Nobody Wants This Costume Designer Negar Ali Kline on Portraying Authentic L.A. Style and Where to Shop the Characters’ Wardrobes”
Date: October 29, 2025

This episode centers on Negar Ali Kline’s creative process as the costume designer for the Netflix hit rom-com Nobody Wants This. The conversation explores her background, how she brings authentic Los Angeles fashion to the screen, the intentional wardrobe choices for each core character, and memorable moments from both seasons. Listeners receive an inside look at the evolution of style for characters like Joanne (Kristen Bell), Morgan (Justine), and Noah (Adam Brody), as well as practical tips on shopping the looks seen on the show.

Guest Background and Path to Costume Design

• Early Influences ([02:26])
  Negar Ali Kline describes growing up in a family with strong European sensibilities and glamorous party attire in the 1980s—“shoulder pads, sequins, jewelry, Dynasty taffeta.”
  She emphasizes that her passion was for style, not just fashion, inspired by pop culture icons like Madonna and Cyndi Lauper.

• Career Beginnings at Paper Magazine ([03:31])
  She started assisting legendary fashion editors and “fell into” styling while working for Paper magazine in the late '90s.

• Breakthrough in Film Costume
  After persistently cold-calling, her first major set experience was on Spike Lee’s Summer of Sam ([04:48]):

  "I was dressing background. It was like 3 o'clock in the morning and we're on set. And I was just thinking to myself, is there anything I'd rather be doing than this? And it was just like such a clarifying moment for me that this is exactly what I wanted to do." (A, [04:48])

• Diverse Experience ([05:26])
  Negar elaborates on working in music styling, celebrity styling, and independent films, underscoring the value of “problem solving on the spot” and adapting to a wide range of demands.

Breaking Down Nobody Wants This: Approach and Vision

Connecting with the Show ([07:19])

• Negar was instantly drawn to the show (then titled Shiksa) after reading about it in Deadline.
• She actively pursued working on it, feeling the script was witty, smart, and richly layered:

  "Erin's writing, her banter is just of the time. She just created this world. Each character was so fully realized in the pilot episode, knew exactly who they were. Just so rare." (A, [07:19])

Creating Authentic L.A. Style

Mood Boards & Character Approach ([09:45])

• Negar’s focus for early mood boards was on “approach to the character versus literal outfits.”
• She emphasized versatility in Joanne’s style to reflect real-world adaptability:

  "She understands putting herself together in a specific way for the environment that she's gonna find herself in. The way she dresses for a Spotify meeting... is different from the way she dresses to go to a basketball game as a WAG or versus how she dresses to meet the parents..." (A, [09:45])

• Discussed the iconic vintage faux fur coat scene as an intentional, non-jokey piece designed to look chic.

High-Low Styling & Repeat Pieces ([11:09])

• Goal: Depict realistic dressing habits—mixing high and low, re-wearing favorite jewelry belts, and bags.

  "I wanted her to feel grounded and real, so that was intentional. And that she would have jewelry that she would repeat throughout the season." (A, [11:45])

Differentiating Between Joanne and Morgan ([12:52])

• Use of varied silhouettes and color palettes to express different personalities but also overlap to highlight their sisterhood:
  • The Roclaw family: jewel tones, rich colors
  • Joanne & Morgan: pastels and poppy colors (blending more by season two)
  • Joanne: "a bit more controlled... tailored"
  • Morgan: more oversized outerwear, miniskirts, and shorts

Detailed Character Wardrobe Strategies

Joanne (Kristen Bell)

• Signature Pieces & Brands ([13:53], [14:10])

  • Jeans and button-downs from brands like Redone, A Gold, vintage Levi’s, Kalmire, Abercrombie.
  • Intentional about fit and style: “She knows what looks good on her, she knows what’s flattering, and she leans into that.” (A, [14:10])
  • Knitwear, varied denim, and perennial favorites.

• Finale Dress ([23:11], [23:30])

  • A high-neck, backless dress from New Arrivals:

    "It was one of those dresses that we landed on very last minute... It's a brand called New Arrivals." (A, [23:30])

  • Discussion of practicalities like lining (“made it to ISW with like 2 minutes to spare to buy lining”), silicon pasties, and warmth layers for a flawless, daring fit.

Morgan (Justine)

• Evolution from Season 1 to 2 ([15:15])

  • Season 1: Outfits designed to conceal actress’s pregnancy (bombers, oversized pieces).
  • Season 2: “Gloves are off.”
    • Opens in micro shorts to “signal that this isn’t gonna go exactly the way you thought.”
    • Style: more playful, provocative, irreverent.

• Key Looks ([25:25])

  • Custom finale dress made with Favorite Daughter, now available for purchase.
  • Universally flattering silhouettes always considered for Morgan.

Noah (Adam Brody)

• Textile Philosophy & Mood ([17:32])
  • No synthetic fabrics—warm, cozy, stressed-out “unemployed Noah.”
  • Wears vintage Levi’s, T-shirts, Double RL; changes to more color and slightly elevated looks (e.g., Todd Snyder) as he joins a new, progressive synagogue.

Sasha

• Distinct L.A. Hypebeast Vibe ([19:18])
  • Designer hoodies, limited-edition sneakers, playful wealth–“flossing.”

  • "It's a little hypebeast... But it also shows his wealth that he's flossing a bit. And it's more playful. It's super playful." (A, [19:18])

  • Season 2: Style matures (Elder Statesman sweaters) as his role in the family evolves.

Esther

• Transformation Arc ([21:05])
  • Season 1: Modest, tailored, high collars, often in Roclav red/black.
  • Season 2: Softer, lower necklines, more color, hair transformation, reflecting a search for self-rediscovery.

  • "When Joanne came into Noah's life, it was very disruptive, but it was disruptive for everyone else, too." (A, [21:38])

Highlighted Scenes, Brands, and Style Moments

• Wedding Dress Shopping ([16:34])

  • Filmed at LA favorite Loho Bride, with dresses by Vivienne Westwood, Danielle Frankel and others.

• Leighton Meester’s Guest Appearance ([26:17])

  • Styled as a “successful mommy influencer,” decked out in pastel Chanel befitting a high-profile baby naming event—

    "You could see the Instagram posts of that day... wanted her to embody this enviable woman with this big house and her Chanel outfit." (A, [26:52])

• “Hero” Pieces and Favorite Outfits ([27:24])

  • Joanne: Vintage sportswear (sweatshirts, T's, “spinning out” loungewear)
  • Morgan: Argyle knit sweater and Wales Bonner x Adidas pants, unexpected pairings
  • General: Admiration for vintage finds and the creative possibilities new fashion cycles bring

Industry Insight and Looking Forward

• Brand Collaborations for TV ([28:38])

  • Increasing openness of brands to work with TV costumers.
  • Hints at “manifesting” future wardrobe choices should the characters’ narrative fortunes change (e.g., “Spotify deal”):

    "Let's save that for after they get their Spotify deal... I think about manifesting that for them and seeing how that would affect the way they dress." (A, [28:38])

• Speed and Ingenuity of TV Costume Design

  • Examples of last-minute fittings, custom dressmaking, and logistical challenges that viewers never see.

Notable Quotes

• On falling in love with costume design:

  "It was just like such a clarifying moment for me that this is exactly what I wanted to do." (A, [04:48])

• On reflecting real women’s wardrobes:

  "That's how women dress. Right. We have our jewelry that oftentimes I sleep in my necklaces or my little huggy hoops. So that was important. I wanted her to feel grounded and real..." (A, [11:45])

• On the role of clothes in character:

  "She can use style as armor. She can use style to garner attention when she wants attention..." (A, [09:45])

• On manifesting characters’ journeys through outfits:

  "I think about manifesting that for them and seeing how that would affect the way they dress." (A, [28:38])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:26] – Negar Ali Kline’s background and early influences
• [04:48] – Breakthrough experience on her first film costume job
• [07:19] – How she came to work on Nobody Wants This
• [09:45] – Approach to character mood boards and core styling philosophy
• [11:45] – Building repeatable, real-world wardrobes for characters
• [12:52] – Distinguishing Morgan and Joanne’s wardrobes
• [14:10] – Sourcing brands for Joanne’s denim/button-down staples
• [15:15] – Morgan’s style evolution: from practical to bold
• [16:34] – Bridal shopping scene at Loho Bride
• [17:32] – Noah’s “cozy” style and wardrobe transitions
• [19:18] – Sasha’s hypebeast L.A. aesthetic
• [21:05] – Esther’s transformation and character arc
• [23:30] – Details on Joanne’s finale dress
• [25:25] – On Morgan’s custom dress and real-life accessibility
• [26:17] – Leighton Meester’s mommy influencer styling
• [27:24] – Favorite “hero” wardrobe moments
• [28:38] – Industry changes: brand collaborations, future hopes

Overall Tone and Takeaways

The conversation is intimate, witty, and informative, blending high-level creative thinking with practical insights for fashion/fandom. Negar Ali Kline is candid about the challenges and joys of bringing authentic, multidimensional L.A. style to TV—and the unexpected moments that make it special. The episode is a must-listen for fans of Nobody Wants This, as well as anyone interested in the intersection of personal style, character development, and contemporary costume design.