Behind the Costumes of Stranger Things: The First Shadow
DSI London was proud to contribute to the costume realisation of Stranger Things: The First Shadow — the major stage production expanding the world of the globally acclaimed Stranger Things phenomenon.
Working closely with the production’s creative team, our South London studio supported both the West End and Broadway productions, delivering a wide range of principal character and ensemble costumes under demanding theatrical timelines.
Photographer: Manuel Harlan
11th May 2026
Supporting a Global Stage Production
Stranger Things: The First Shadow explores the origin story of the supernatural forces first seen in the hit series.
Set in 1959 in the seemingly ordinary town of Hawkins, the production blends nostalgic Americana with dark, unsettling undertones, requiring costumes that feel authentic to period while also serving a heightened theatrical narrative.
DSI London was entrusted with manufacturing a significant portion of the wardrobe requirements, including both lead character garments and large ensemble costume groups.
Among the pieces created in our studio were:
• Henry Creel’s character costumes
• Period school outfits for boys and girls
• Melvald’s store skirts
• Choir robes
• Wonder Woman costume
• Nurses and laboratory coats
• Lab technician wardrobes
• Showgirl leotards and fan tails
This breadth of work demanded versatility, from structured tailoring and uniform styling to performance-driven costume builds designed for movement, repetition and durability.
This breadth of work demanded versatility, from structured tailoring and uniform styling to performance-driven costume builds designed for movement, repetition and durability.
Manufactured in London for Performance Demands
All costumes were produced in our South London studio, enabling responsive collaboration and the ability to meet the tight turnaround requirements typical of major theatrical productions.
Stage costume manufacturing presents unique challenges:
• garments must read clearly under powerful lighting
• silhouettes must remain consistent across multiple casts
• fabrics must withstand physical choreography and repeated performances
• quick alterations and refinements must be possible throughout rehearsals
Our integrated production process allows creative teams to move efficiently from concept to stage, maintaining design integrity while ensuring practical performance reliability.
Our integrated production process allows creative teams to move efficiently from concept to stage, maintaining design integrity while ensuring practical performance reliability.
Scale, Detail and Storytelling
From the restrained authenticity of mid-century schoolwear to the visual drama of supernatural-inspired showgirl elements, the costume palette for Stranger Things: The First Shadowrequired careful balancing of realism and spectacle.
Each garment was constructed not simply as clothing, but as a storytelling device, supporting character identity, emotional tone and narrative progression.
Large ensemble costume builds such as choir robes, laboratory teams and community groups also required coordinated colour, texture and proportion to ensure visual cohesion across the stage.
A Trusted Partner for Theatre and Screen
Being invited to contribute to productions of this scale is both a responsibility and a privilege.
At DSI London, we are proud to support costume designers and production teams with:
• reliable large-scale manufacturing capability
• couture-level finishing standards
• flexibility during evolving rehearsal processes
• efficient Made in London production logistics
Whether developing principal character garments or coordinating full ensemble wardrobes, our focus remains the same, delivering costumes that enable performers to inhabit their roles fully and confidently.
Whether developing principal character garments or coordinating full ensemble wardrobes, our focus remains the same, delivering costumes that enable performers to inhabit their roles fully and confidently.
From Studio to Spotlight
Seeing these costumes transition from workshop rails to international stage performances is always a rewarding moment for our team.
Projects such as Stranger Things: The First Shadow reflect the growing role of DSI London within theatrical and performance costume production, combining craftsmanship, technical understanding and production reliability.
We look forward to continuing to support creative teams on ambitious stage and screen projects worldwide.
Seeing these costumes transition from workshop rails to international stage performances is always a rewarding moment for our team.
Projects such as Stranger Things: The First Shadow reflect the growing role of DSI London within theatrical and performance costume production, combining craftsmanship, technical understanding and production reliability.
We look forward to continuing to support creative teams on ambitious stage and screen projects worldwide.
