Iron Fist Costume: Danny Rand Has A Lot Of Spandex Business Suits And Sneakers, Designer Says

Last week, showrunner Scott Buck told fans a comic book style Iron Fist costume won’t exist in the series. No supersuit, no mask, no insanely dorky collar. So what will he wear during all these crazy fight scenes? Costume Designer Stephanie Maslansky revealed Danny Rand will do a lot of fighting in business suits. But don’t worry, she discretely fitted his suits with spandex and he’ll wear sneakers so those fight scenes will still look amazing.

“Danny Rand comes from a wealthier background, so when he lands back home in New York we needed to establish a richer, shinier atmosphere,” Maslansky told Forbes. “This is a superhero show with a focus on martial arts; there’s a lot of fighting. As it happens, Danny fights wearing a lot of suits. So we had to make sure he could move as easily in a suit as he can wearing a pair of sweatpants. So there’s a lot of spandex put in those suits, so he can perform kicks and punches. The stretchy fabric has to be the right shade and texture, and it has to be put in the right places. We’ve been pretty successful at hiding it, as far as I know. I don’t think anyone has noticed any material that’s not supposed to be there.”

READ: Iron Fist Costume Gets A More Subtle Upgrade In New Trailer

Of course, when the series first begins, Danny will be dressed like he just got done hiking the Appalachian Trail.

“His look evolves throughout the series. When we first meet him he’s clearly traveled a long way. I wanted people to look at Danny and not be sure exactly what he was. A backpacker, or a homeless man. His look needed to reflect a variety of cultures, and reflect the fact that he’s traveled a long way to get to New York. He almost seems otherworldly.”

After he finds out Ward and Joy Meachum have taken over his father’s company and intend to run him out, Danny quickly has to adjust and claim the look of a billionaire.

“He has to develop a quick sense of corporate style. We landed on a look that’s been described as ‘Urban Cali.’ It’s a little looser, little more relaxed. But it’s still a suit. His tie is never tied tightly and he always wears sneakers. So the look reflects his personal journey.”

Maslansky also said Danny’s monk costumes are based on authentic Shaolin warrior robes. She took that silhouette and added Iron Fist’s classic green and gold colors with raw silk fabric, which gives a soft but aesthetically rough feeling texture. It looks like this costume may be the closest we’ll get to Danny’s comic book getup.

As for Danny’s more casual look, Maslansky said she noticed a militaristic and seventies vibe in the comics, and was inspired by iterations where Iron Fist wears cargo pants and a tight shirt with the Iron Fist dragon insignia. But in the series, Danny will go shirtless, with his chest tattoo front and center.

Iron Fist arrives on Netflix March 17.