In Season 2 of Hulu’s The Great, creator Tony McNamara‘s modernistic take on the Russian monarchy circa 18th century boasts saucy language and a sexy, vibrant wardrobe. For the women of the Court, led by Empress Catherine, (Elle Fanning) think lots of heaving bosoms, colorful, wide-rimmed dresses supported by bone hoop cages, corsets to sculpt tiny waists, and plenty of petticoats to throw about. For the majestic men, including Peter (Nicholas Hoult), there were frilly poet shirts topped off with button-down vests and overcoats accented with fur.

These looks required a lot of historical research and great attention to detail, and that’s where costume designer Sharon Long thrives. She dived right into the subject matter and consumed everything about the fashion of the Victorian era, especially how it was shaped by the wealthy class. Based in London, Long delights in her work, amassing an impressive array of wardrobe design credits,  from Assistant Costume Designer on Gangs of London, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and Guardians of The Galaxy to Wardrobe Supervisor on Star Wars Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace as well as The Social Network. Designing in her own right, she dressed the casts of The Silent Storm (Damian Lewis and Andrea Riseborough), The Legend of Barney Thomson (Emma Thompson and Ray Winstone), and Calm With Horses starring Barry Keoghan.

For The Great, Long was given free reign (pun intended) to play and create couture befitting Russian royalty, from the golden coronation gown that Catherine dons in the episode “Dickhead” to the maternity frocks she embraces in all stages of her pregnant glory throughout the season. The large ensemble, which also features Aunt Elizabeth (Belinda Bromilow) and a regal appearance by Gillian…