Lucy Liu’s Kill Bill costumes were intentionally designed to nod to the iconic wardrobe of Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction, as revealed in a recent interview. In sharing the creative journey behind her character O-Ren Ishii’s look, Liu explained the inspirations, collaborations, and cinematic connections that shaped her unforgettable on-screen presence.
Deciding O-Ren Ishii’s Distinctive Appearance
During a candid interview with Vogue, Lucy Liu elaborated on how her approach to O-Ren Ishii’s style developed in collaboration with designer Kumiko Ogawa and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino. Liu’s role in the Kill Bill series coincided with a pivotal moment in her career, following high-profile performances in films like Charlie’s Angels and Chicago, which had garnered critical acclaim and awards, including a Best Picture win at the Oscars in 2003.
Describing the design process, Liu highlighted the creative decisions made alongside costume designer Kumiko Ogawa. In the interview, Liu shared,
“Kumiko Ogawa, she was the one who designed this kimono,”
Liu said, recognizing Ogawa’s contribution to crafting her character’s signature outfit. Originally, Tarantino had envisioned something entirely different for O-Ren Ishii’s wardrobe.
“And this kimono almost wasn’t a kimono. Originally, [director Quentin Tarantino] wanted me to wear something very different, and he wanted me to wear this kind of communist gray,”
Liu revealed.
Liu’s Suggestions Shift the Creative Direction
Liu, reflecting on the nuances of Tarantino’s script, expressed her admiration for his artistry.
“When I read the script, which was so beautifully written — and Quentin is really such an artist and a visionary,”
she said, emphasizing her appreciation for the director’s vision. Liu saw an opportunity to introduce an element of grace and feminine identity to O-Ren Ishii that departed from the more austere concept originally proposed.
“I saw something very different. I just saw there was an elegance about her and a femininity that I wanted to retain,”
Liu explained.
Drawing from Tarantino’s earlier cinematic style, particularly the memorable fashion of the hitmen in Pulp Fiction, Liu suggested a new direction for her character’s look.
“I said, ‘Why don’t we take what you are known for, like your Pulp Fiction?’ The black ties and the white shirts and the black suits, like the simplicity of what he did. Like, why don’t we take that and make that into something,”
Liu recounted. This creative input became the foundation for O-Ren Ishii’s now iconic costumes.
Transforming Homage into Visual Storytelling
Liu worked closely with both Tarantino and Kumiko Ogawa to bring this homage to life. For the first scene featuring O-Ren Ishii, Liu wore a black kimono with white beneath it, mirroring the sophisticated palette of Pulp Fiction’s renowned hitmen, Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield.
“For the first scene that you see O-Ren in, she’s in a black kimono with a white underneath the black kimono. And so that was representing, basically, Pulp Fiction,”
Liu stated.
The creative collaboration went further in the now well-known snow garden fight sequence. Liu described proposing a reversal of the initial design:
“And so for the snow garden scene, I said, ‘Why don’t we reverse it and make it white on the outside and black on the inside?’ He was willing to say yes, and it changed the direction of how O-Ren was able to be perceived.”
This change added new layers to the character, blending homage with originality in visual storytelling.
Impact on Liu’s Career and Lasting Cinematic Influence
Lucy Liu’s Kill Bill costumes not only honored a cinematic legacy but also helped define the visual identity of the O-Ren Ishii character. With these collaborations and creative choices, Liu cemented her standing as a thoughtful and influential voice in film. While Kill Bill, starring Uma Thurman and produced by Miramax, has since become a cult classic, Liu’s career continued to flourish, spanning roles in popular movies such as the animated Kung Fu Panda series, the romantic comedy Set It Up, and the upcoming film Red One. Her continuing work, including participation in the much-anticipated sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, reflects her versatility and enduring appeal.
The creative decisions behind Lucy Liu’s costumes in Kill Bill offer a testament to the power of collaboration and homage within film, weaving connections between iconic works from Tarantino’s celebrated career. Through her interpretation and insight, Liu not only paid tribute to Pulp Fiction’s legacy but also transformed O-Ren Ishii into a visually memorable and emotionally resonant character who continues to captivate audiences.
