costume and identity

His films obsessively explore how costumes, appearance, and social roles construct and constrain identity, particularly in works like 'The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant' and 'Ali: Fear Eats the Soul'.

He uses costume, fashion, and theatrical presentation as primary vehicles for characters to express, transform, and liberate their identities, especially in films like 'All About My Mother' and 'The Law of Desire'.

His meticulous attention to costume design as a tool for exploring identity, status, and psychological states is evident throughout his filmography, particularly in 'A Clockwork Orange,' 'Barry Lyndon,' and 'Eyes Wide Shut'.