Baltasar Frias is an enigmatic character in the 2022 Peacock series THE RESORT. The character is an aspiring detective, a couture tailor, and the head of security at a luxury resort in Mexico. The narrative spans several decades in the character’s life- primarily focusing on an idealistic younger phase in 2007 and a more world-weary phase in 2022. There are also some flashbacks to his youth in the 1980s and his young adulthood in the late 90s/early 2000s.

Within the narrative, the character designs and creates his own custom embroidered uniforms during all of these stages of life. The embroidery on the costumes serves as a visual barometer for his mental state; The level of embellishment in the look correlates to how self actualized and confident he is in that era. He is most elaborate looks signal his most confident narrative moments.

The first step of the design process involved working with Mexican artisans to research and develop culturally authentic embroidery motifs for the suit designs. Detailed digital sketches of the proposed costumes were then rendered. The suits were primarily fabricated in Puerto Rico, where the show was shot.

CUSTOM SUIT- 2007 TIMELINE (ORIGINAL DIGITAL COSTUME SKETCH ON LEFT, FINISHED COSTUME ON THE RIGHT)

CUSTOM SUIT- 2007 TIMELINE (ORIGINAL DIGITAL COSTUME SKETCH ON LEFT TOP, FINISHED COSTUME ON THE BOTTOM AND RIGHT)

2022 TIMELINE- AN UNEMBELLISHED LOOK FOR A CHARACTER LOW POINT

CUSTOM SHIRT- 2022 TIMELINE (ORIGINAL DIGITAL COSTUME SKETCH ON LEFT, FINISHED COSTUME ON THE RIGHT)

CUSTOM SUIT- 2022 TIMELINE (ORIGINAL DIGITAL COSTUME SKETCH ON LEFT, FINISHED COSTUME ON THE RIGHT). THE EMBROIDERY IS AN ILLUSTRATION OF A PRIOR SCENE IN THE SHOW.

CUSTOM HAND PAINTED TIE AND SHOES - DESIGNED IN CONVERATION WITH ARTIST ANULFO SAKUBEL (INSPIRATION ON LEFT, FINSHED COSTUMES ON RIGHT)

Costume Illustrator: Christian Cordella

Costume Tailor: Julio Liz

Embroidery Consultation: Mexican embroidery collective- Tejadores de Vidas y Suenos, Mexican embroidery artist Brisveey Santana of Hilo y Aguja Collective

Grey Suit Chainstitch Embroidery Artist: Jason Redwood

THE RESORT: BALTASAR FRIAS