Movies

The dramatic fashion of ‘The Counselor’

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When it came to dressing some of the dark, dangerous characters in his new movie “The Counselor” (out Friday), director Ridley Scott knew exactly who to call: a master, Giorgio Armani — and Paula Thomas, the on-the-make designer behind Thomas Wylde.

Malkina, a dangerous vixen played by Cameron Diaz in the film, is cold, predatory and dead-sexy, with kohl-rimmed eyes, gold teeth and two exotic cats for pets. “I pulled a lot from my archival collection,” says Thomas. She and Diaz pored over the script together, breaking down what the character would wear scene by scene.

Capturing that mix of danger and sex appeal meant zippers, studs, leather, a flirty ruffle or two, and animal print — Wylde signatures already beloved in real life by celebrities like Sienna Miller, Halle Berry and Heidi Klum. (“Heidi is one of my biggest fans,” says Thomas, whose first boutique will open next spring in Los Angeles.)

“Paula’s the best and with her, even I understand fashion,” says Scott. “Rock ’n’ roll meets posh! What a combination.” The affection is mutual.

“When Rid called me to participate, I was honored and floored and nervous at once. I have known his son Jake for many years, and his [now deceased] brother was my daughter’s godfather,” Thomas says. “And Armani and Gucci are who he has chosen in the past, so I wanted to do amazing work.”

Scott enlisted Armani this time around, too, for the wardrobes of the titular counselor, played by Michael Fassbender, and his girlfriend Laura (Penelope Cruz).

Armani has said in interviews that he enjoys his “small part in the magic of filmmaking,” but his imdb.com entry looms pretty large. The Italian designer’s credits include suits and costuming on “Inglourious Basterds,” “The Dark Knight” and “The Social Network,” as well as his first movie, “American Gigolo.”

In “The Counselor,” Armani’s contributions are a sharply tailored wardrobe for Fassbender — suits and shirts on which even the lapel style connotes character significance. Cruz smolders in the designer’s dresses. Both stars get the benefit of Armani’s participation off-screen as well: He’s dressed them for red-carpet events, and the label is co-sponsoring some screenings.

Just call Armani fashion’s guidance counselor.