"Long before the world had Elton John, David Bowie, or Grayson Perry, Henry was out there" | Costume designer Ryan Dawson Laight
25 Jun 2025
Costume Designer Ryan Dawson Laight on creating the dazzling costumes for How To Win Against History
Designing for the icon that is Henry has been nothing short of a dream.
My work is rooted in
historical silhouettes, but I’ve amped them up—think wildly queer, gloriously
colorful, and unapologetically bold.
The costumes in the show are explosive in
shape and spirit. They’ll make you laugh, they’ll make you feel, and sometimes,
they’ll quietly break your heart.
Long before the world had Elton John, David Bowie, or Grayson Perry, Henry was out there doing the most—shaping their identity through dazzling fashion, dripping in diamonds and crystals. What’s not to adore about that kind of defiant beauty?
My inspiration pulls deeply from queer culture, the raw glamour of cabaret, old-school drag, and the fierce elegance of vintage showgirls.
I’m endlessly inspired by icons like Leigh Bowery, Liberace, Freddie Mercury, and Klaus Nomi—visionaries who blurred lines and lit up the world with their presence.
I’ve got a lifelong obsession with sequins, sparkle, and the bittersweet poetry of the stage. There’s something magical—and a little melancholic—about performers who shine so brightly they almost burn.
So when the team asked me to design for this reimagining of How to Win Against History, I was over the moon. What we’ve created together is bold, tender, and totally unforgettable.
I can't wait for audiences to step into Henry’s world and experience the glitter, the grandeur, and the glorious rebellion.
Take a look at the final costumes in our gallery of production photography by Pamela Raith.
