How the Killer’s Hood Got a Modern Makeover and a 1997 Easter Egg in ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’
The reboot of I Know What You Did Last Summer dropped a serious fashion bomb with its reimagined killer costume revealed by veteran designer Cassandra Miller at a July 12, 2023 panel at San Diego Comic Fest, according to statements covered by New York Post and Variety. Quinn Parker here with way too much coffee and even more to spill, so buckle up for every juicy stitch of tea.
Okay, so listen up—this is WILD! Cassandra Miller, whose credits include major genre hits like The Witcher, explained that she ditched the original’s baggy fishermen’s sweater for a sculpted hooded jacket built from three-layer technical fabric. “We wanted something sculptural but still terrifying in silhouette,” Miller told Variety, adding that each seam was placed to catch the light on rainy nights—yes, rain was part of the aesthetic playbook. The jacket’s inner lining features a subtle drop pattern that recalls the film’s blood-curdling tagline. Talk about chilling detail, right?
This new look swaps duck boots for custom high-grip combat sneakers, inspired by 1990s skateboard gear but updated with carbon-fiber eyelets. According to the New York Post coverage, the Killer’s iconic hook weapon is now kept in a streamlined sheath strapped to the thigh for easier access during chase sequences. Miller noted, “It had to look logical—if you’re a ruthless vigilante, you need to move fast.”
Now, here is where the 1997 Easter egg comes in: If you peek at the shoulder seam under the flashing neon lights, you’ll spot a tiny embroidered shark fin shape tucked beneath the folds. Miller confirmed that this nod is a tribute to the original movie’s poster art, which featured a shark fin symbolizing hidden danger, per Variety’s interview transcript. I have THOUGHTS and FEELINGS about that level of fandom love!
The color palette also got a revamp. Miller explained the decision to stay monochrome was practical for night filming, but she added touches of deep crimson along the zipper tape as a wink to the scream queen era of the late 90s. That bit of red caught the eye of social feeds during the series premiere, racking up thousands of likes within hours, according to costume insiders.
Beyond aesthetics, Miller and her team worked with stunt coordinators to reinforce key garment areas with invisible Kevlar patches. Why? Because when your killer is sliding down stairwells or swinging from balconies, you need that extra tear resistance. This functional flair lives up to the trend of high-concept horror gear that feels both authentic and stylish on screen.
So there you have it: a killer look that respects the original ’97 vibe, while giving modern horror fans a sleek update that’s equally practical and piquant. I swear I could go on about fabric tech all day, but this caffeine is wearing off. Okay I need to calm down after that!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, Variety
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
