During a 2016 interview with the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, costume designer Michele Clapton, who worked from 2011 to 2019 on “Game of Thrones,” revealed that the iconic fur capes from “Game of Thrones” are actually made from IKEA rugs (via CNBC). “We cut and shaved them and added strong leather straps,” Clapton explained “I want the audience to almost smell the costumes.” While Clapton did not specify exactly what kind of rug the team used to create the capes, an IKEA Facebook post from 2017 suggests that at least one of the rugs used was a sheepskin SKOLD rug, which is currently retailing for just €39.99. That’s just one of multiple rugs that might have been used to create the fur capes on “Game of Thrones.”
Considering the exorbitant budget that “Game of Thrones” was given during its later seasons, to know that they used something as commonplace and affordable as an IKEA rug for these costumes might sound unbelievable — especially since said costumes look so authentic and believable. Indeed, anybody out there hoping to cosplay as Jon Snow or another member of the Night’s Watch ought to rejoice in knowing that they don’t have to spend a ridiculous amount of money on an authentic fur cloak since these IKEA rugs do the trick just fine. Cutting the rugs and transforming them into capes, however, might be another story.
