ONTD Original: The Gerard Way 2022/23 Stage Costume Cinematic Universe
It's been almost a year since My Chemical Romance, a band some of you probably best remember from middle school, wrapped up the North American leg of their 2022-2023 reunion tour. Unfortunately, a lot of the cool stuff that they were doing didn't make a blip on the bigger pop-cultural radar outside some general buzz about "emo revival."
That's a shame, because if you like fashion, horror movies, and gender-nonconforming style, you need look no further than MCR frontperson Gerard Way. Way rocked a few homemade costumes on the European leg of the tour, and then, following a collaboration with acclaimed costume designer Marina Toybina, trotted out a full wardrobe of costumes for the North America and Australia/New Zealand/Japan legs of the tour which were truly unique, creative, and added a new dimension to the band's performances. And the lore? The lore went DEEP. For devoted fans, the tour was basically this:
Are you ready to welcome a new diva into your life, ONTD? Let's review some of Gerard's most memorable stage costumes, with commentary from yours truly about how they're connected to the band's mythos and why they were so iconic.
Rather than going by date-there are too many to cover-I've divided these costumes into handy themes, because there are THEMES! MCR has been notoriously silent in the press this era, not giving a single interview, so if you have guesses to what these costumes could mean, have favorites from your own shows, or thoughts on what the themes are saying, leave a comment!
~THEME ONE: Controversial/iconic women from history~
1. Joan of Arc
My dear friend @gerardway finished their last show on the North American leg of the tour and my heart is so full 🖤
Creating art together has been such an unforgettable experience over the past few months...until next time :) #GerardWay #MCRMEXICO #mychemicalromance #joanofarc pic.twitter.com/RxtBGmLT0X
- MarinaToybina (@MarinaToybina) November 23, 2022
Debuted in: Mexico
Why it's iconic: Joan of Arc has been a sort of background character in MCR's legacy since before the Black Parade era. She is apparently one of Gerard's inspirations; he's mentioned her in interviews multiple times, and she appears in the album artwork for Black Parade LP.
Fun facts: Prior to this costume appearing, fans noticed that a sticker featuring Joan had been placed on Gerard's soundboard, possibly as an easter egg foreshadowing this costume reveal.
2. Princess Diana
MCR LA Night 2
👸🏼❤️🐑🖤🤴🏻
Muse: @gerardway
Costume Designer: @MarinaToybina
Assisted by: @kaystur_ #MCRLA2 #GerardWay #mychemicalromance #mcr #princessdiana pic.twitter.com/imImIqmQSq
- MarinaToybina (@MarinaToybina) October 13, 2022
Debuted in: Los Angeles, at the second night of the band's run of shows at the KIA forum
Why it's iconic: I mean, it's Princess Diana. But it's also an interesting choice, since each night in LA was themed after an album from the band; the night this costume debuted was the night dedicated to their second album, "The Cheers for Sweet Revenge." Revenge dress reference, anyone?
Fun facts: Gerard got a haircut prior to this run of shows & some people speculate it was to make this costume more accurate, lol.
3. Jackie O
❤️🔥 My Chemical Romance at Riot Fest by me for @BeardedGMusic ❤️🔥 #MCRRIOT #RiotFest pic.twitter.com/ppfbj5nAlD
- kenn (@hvnlykenn) September 17, 2022
Debuted in: Chicago, at Riot Fest
Why it's iconic: Jackie O and the Kennedys have also been mentioned a few times in interviews and lyrics throughout the band's history. Notably, this was the first time Gerard wore heels onstage, though it was not the last. In addition to being a gorgeous look, there's something sort of badass about appearing onstage in full Jackie O attire at RiotFest, which was made up of a slightly more mainstream/masculine punk audience compared to the band's usual following.
Fun facts: Gerard's wife, Lindsey Way (aka Lyn-Z of the now defunct band Mindless Self Indulgence) was spotted by fans standing side stage, wearing a coordinated version of this outfit. She and Gerard once participated in a JFK-assasination themed photoshoot together.
~THEME TWO: Female Character Types/Archetypes~
1. The Cheerleader
#MCRNASHVILLE via Scott Raymer for @Concert_Crap 📣 pic.twitter.com/7R2cYgOnuA
- The MCR Archive (@The_MCR_Archive) August 28, 2022
Just when you thought it couldn't get any better...sweater time! 💚
Beautiful human, the video says it all.
Costume Designer: Marina Toybina
Assisted by: Kaylan Sturiale #MCRLA #mychemicalromance #GerardWay #MCRLA1 pic.twitter.com/xMdfmYYIsE
- MarinaToybina (@MarinaToybina) October 12, 2022
Debuted in: Nashville, worn again in Los Angeles
Why it's iconic: This was the first time Gerard wore a dress onstage, although playing with androgyny has been part of the band's M.O. for years. The Cheerleader is a character type that has appeared in the band's visual legacy before, namely in the music videos for Teenagers and I'm Not Okay.
Fun facts: This costume was reconstructed from a real vintage cheer uniform! Also, as seen in the second tweet, Gerard rocked a letterman jacket with his wife's first initial on it for the end of the LA show.
2. The Nurse
one year ago 💉
📸 by @pyrexthottie #MCRDETROIT pic.twitter.com/yHtmZhzBVk
- mcr archive (@mcr_lore) September 13, 2023
Debuted in: Detroit
Why it's iconic: Like the Cheerleader, this costume felt like an embrance of a female character type the band has used before & mentioned in songs-nurses appear in the video for Welcome to the Black Parade, and nurses and hospitals are mentioned in a few MCR songs.
Fun facts: The dress has pockets!
3. The Business Woman
Secretary/business woman 3
(Short skirt/coat) #MCRBRISBANE2 March 14th pic.twitter.com/yFkg0chYZS
- 🕸️M0ntsE🕸️ (@achemicalmess) March 29, 2023
i know i posted this vid of prison already but this part needs to have its own moment so #mcrbrisbane2 pic.twitter.com/uxrbZn7aVa
- ✯nova✯ (@knivesfordays) March 15, 2023
Debuted in: Auckland NZ, worn throughout the Australia/NZ/Japan Tour
Why it's iconic: This costume debuted on the last leg of the tour, in March 2023, and variations of the character appeared on different nights. Heels, skirt lengths, accessories, and fake blood/white-out contacts all appeared on this character throughout the tour. It was the only character to appear this consistently on the tour.
Fun facts: Where to even begin! This character certainly had a story arc, though who knows what it might be. One fun fact is that the miniskirt featued in the above images/videos was apparently bought by Gerard at a vintage store, and was not custom-designed. Taste!
~THEME THREE: Halloween Costumes~
1. The Ghost
BOO👻
Kicking off spooky season with Gerard Way rocking a custom Sheet Ghost costume.
Costume Designer: Marina Toybina
ACD: Courtney Webster
Cutter/Fitter: Danae McQueen
Assist: Kaylan Sturiale and Ashtenn Waesche #Ghostgerard #MCRSUNRISE #mcr #mychemicalromance #GerardWay pic.twitter.com/YeINZcE1cM
- MarinaToybina (@MarinaToybina) September 25, 2022
Debuted in: Sunrise, FL
Why It's Iconic: There's something so playful and fun about this costume, especially in context with some of the sexy/serious ones. But ghosts are plentiful in MCR's lyrics, so it makes sense!
Fun facts: Appparently there's more than meets the eye re: creating a sheet ghost that could be worn onstage; it took a whole team of designers!
2. A Sexy Bat
Bat #MCRNJ September 20th pic.twitter.com/DgW9k7L1xs
- 🕸️M0ntsE🕸️ (@achemicalmess) March 10, 2023
Debuted in: New Jersey, on the first night of their two-show run there.
Why It's Iconic: I mean, it's a body stocking with calf-high platform boots, Saint Laurent sunglasses (yes, really), and wings. And it's a bat! How much more iconic does it get?
Fun facts: At each show, Gerard would write a cryptic message on the bass drumhead. This show's drum writing read "OFF LEASH," a pun on the phrase "Unleash the F*cking Bats," which has historically a sort of call to arms amongst MCR fans. Like I said...DEEP LORE!
3. Dracula
Vampire #MCRLA4 October 14th pic.twitter.com/ThkcxGU91w
- 🕸️M0ntsE🕸️ (@achemicalmess) March 10, 2023
Debuted in: Los Angeles, on their fourth show at the Kia Forum
Why It's Iconic: Vampires are obviously a huge part of the MCR lore, but this costume isn't just any old vamp-it's a very accurate rendition of Bela Lugosi's costume from the original Dracula movie.
Fun facts: There's another subtle reference here between the themed album nights and the costume; LA night 4 was the Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys themed night and that album's comic spinoff includes vampire characters called "Dracs". Plus, it's a concept album about a bloodsucking corporation. Fun!
~Other Notable Costumes~
1. "Meta Man"
Metaman
( #MCRMK May 19th) pic.twitter.com/vbgeDYFwuE
- 🕸️M0ntsE🕸️ (@achemicalmess) March 10, 2023
Debuted in: Milton Keynes, UK
Why it's iconic: No one knew there were even going to BE costumes on this tour until Meta Man showed up. Gerard and the band were dressed down for the first two shows and at their reunion show in 2019. This character-a musterious, bloody figure with the META logo on his forehead-felt like the launch of something new.
Fun facts: There's not really a clear answer to what this character meant, which to me is probably the best way for guys in aging emo bands to do social commentary. Gerard went on a brief rant about how social media companies are trying to separate us from each other and the world, and that was it. Your guess is as good as mine!
2. When We Were Young Festival-Old Man Costumes
MCR at WWWY2 pic.twitter.com/jyg8OlaoGm
- My Chemical Romance Updates 🪰 (@MCRupdates1) October 26, 2022
Debuted in: Las Vegas, at the "When We Were Young" festival
Why it's Iconic: This is the only time the full band dressed up in costumes on tour (as opposed to just Gerard). They came out onstage wearing wigs and old man prosthetics, dressed in the iconic outfits worn by the band in 2005 during their tour for Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge. Clearly it was a joke on the festival's name, but also a sort of thumb-the-nose moment to casual fans who expect emo artists to exist in some kind of time capsule.
Fun facts: Guitarist Frank Iero's wig was designed as an intentionally bad toupee over a bald cap that would fly off as he played.
3. Pool Boy at the Vampire Mansion
happy one year to pool boy at the vampire mansion🧛🏻♀️ #MCRPHILLY pic.twitter.com/JaeVrOyaFT
- 🎃𝖆𝖒𝖇𝖊𝖗🎃 (@ph4nt0msf0rever) August 29, 2023
Debuted in: Philadelphia
Why it's iconic: Gerard apparently handmade this shirt backstage and paired it with short shorts; it's just a hilarious turn of phrase, and ties in with the over-the-top campy energy of the band perfectly.
Fun facts: After this costume debuted, fanmade replicas became so popular that the band started selling it as merch.
~~~~~
That's all I've got for you, ONTD! What do you think? What do story do all the costumes tell? Did I miss anything fun or signficant? Mods, this is my first ONTD original so let me know if I messed anything up!
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