Duran Duran Inspired Halloween Costumes

Looking for Halloween costume ideas that go beyond typical ghosts, vampires and witches? Let’s face it, if anyone knows how to embrace Halloween, it’s Duran Duran. Their recent album, DANSE MACABRE, and their new song Evil Woman, is a masterclass in funky vibes that celebrates the mood of fright night. So, it’s only fitting they be your inspo for an iconic Halloween outfit ensemble that will have you getting dirty up on the season’s tricks, treats, parties, costume contests, ghost tours, and Halloween festivals.

Tiger Woman from Duran Duran’s Hungry Like The Wolf Music Video

If you’re on the hunt for an easy Duran Duran Halloween costume idea that works even if you’re not a Duran Duran fan, try this: pull your hair back, paint your face and body, and slip into a tiger-print leotard or dress and you’ll be transformed into the iconic Tiger Woman from Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like The Wolf” video. Add a sexy guy in safari gear and you’ll have yourself a Halloween couple’s costume that will have you strutting the line in discord and rhyme.

Halloween Couples Costume Idea: Tiger Woman and Simon Le Bon

Costume Inspiration

Rio From Duran Duran’s Rio Music Video

Channel the vibrant, tropical vibes of Rio (played by model and actress Reema Ruspoli) from Duran Duran’s iconic “Rio” music video with this fun costume idea. To transform into Rio herself, you’ll need a shimmering blue dress and scarf or wrap. Pull your hair back into braid and don’t forget to paint some waves on your cheek.

Group Halloween Costume: The Wild Boys

The wild boys are calling and telling you to gather some of your friends, don your leather jackets, and get ready for a reckless and hungered Halloween.

The Wild Boys look draws heavily from Mad Max-style fashion, blending leather, metal, straps, and fierce warrior elements. For an industrial, post-apocalyptic vibe, attach metal chains, straps, or belts across your chest or waist. Shimmery silver accents are essential for that extra edge. The ‘John’ in your group should sport a red sash, while the ‘Simon’ needs a stubbly Le Beard and badass armband bullets. For ‘Nick,’ dramatic eyeshadow and striking pink lips will capture his signature look. Top it all off with mullet wigs and dust everyone with confetti to bring the full ‘Wild Boys’ aesthetic to life.

Weird Animatronic Head From The Wild Boys Video

Duranie Larry from North Carolina didn’t just understand the assignment — he gave the assignment, graded it, and left a note in the margin that said “be iconic.” For Duran Duran’s Halloween show at Madison Square Garden, Larry showed up in full Wild Boys mode, dressed as the creepy animatronic head from the video. Equal parts freak and fabulous, his look was everything you’d expect from a real Duranie.

Photo courtesy of Larry B.

Larry shared his DIY process with DuranDuranies.com:

“Fortunately, there’s a Walmart not far from the hotel I stayed at in East Brunswick, New Jersey. They didn’t have gray makeup, but they had black and white liquid makeup. I mixed the two together and came up with that shade of gray. I bought the contacts online, too. Funny story — I’d never put contacts in before, and it took me two hours to get them in. Getting them out was a lot easier… because I watched the YouTube video first.”

Want to channel Larry’s wild brilliance? Here’s how:

• Use gray face paint (or mix black and white cream makeup) to create that synthetic android skin.
• Top it off with pale or eerie contact lenses to achieve that blank, “possibly haunted robot” stare.
• Larry rocked green sweatpants and matching green Doc Martens, because of course he did — the man has range.
• Bonus points if you perfect the slow-motion head turn and blink.

This costume is intense. It’s weird. It’s unforgettable. Much like Larry.

Barbarbella and Dr. Durand Durand

Barbarella is a 1968 sci-fi adventure film directed by Roger Vadim, based on the French comic series by Jean-Claude Forest. Set in a distant future, the movie stars Jane Fonda as Barbarella, a space-traveling adventurer tasked with saving the galaxy from the evil scientist Durand Durand. The film is known for its campy, psychedelic style, and it combines futuristic visuals with elements of fantasy, comedy, and sexual innuendo, capturing the liberated spirit of the 1960s. Any good Duranie knows that Dr. Durand Durand (played by Milo O’Shea) was the inspiration for the Duran Duran band name, (minus the ‘d’ at the end). This works as a solo Jane Fonda/Barbarella costume, or a couples costume when you get someone to join you as the evil doctor.

Sexy Halloween Costume; Girls On Film Video

Rodeo Royalty

Saddle up and serve Girls on Film attitude in one of the video’s most striking looks – white-clad cowgirl who struts onto the scene in fringe, boots, and zero apologies. All you need is a white fringed jacket, cowboy hat, boots, and a hobby horse to giddy-up with glam.

Sumo Wrestler and Hot Wrestler Girl

Or, how about a blow-up sumo suit and a serious attitude? Pair the inflatable sumo look with a friend in a teased-up ponytail to nod to the fierce female wrestler who flipped expectations (and her opponent) on the runway. Bonus points if you dramatically bow and exit every room.

Halloween Costume Inspo: Girls On Film The Video

Released by Duran Duran in 1981 and directed by Godley & Creme, the video became infamous for its provocative imagery that featured scantily clad models engaging in steamy scenes, leading to it being banned by the BBC and heavily edited for TV airplay.

Watch the video for sexy Halloween costume ideas. Here’s the most obvious:

• Pillow Fighters: Pair a sultry black nightie with hair in curlers, and accessorize with a pillow and a can of whipped cream.
• Sexy Nurse: Slip into a form-fitting nurse uniform with stockings and a nurse’s cap to recreate this iconic scene.
• Mud Wrestling Girl: Put on your bathing suit and cover yourself with body-safe paint to create the illusion of being muddy mess.

Nick and Julie Anne’s Wedding Day Costume

Sometimes, you just need more pink and lavender in your life, and Nick and Julie Anne’s August 18, 1984 wedding ceremony is the perfect way to get it. You’ll need to find yourself a skin tight mermaid wedding dress and dye is lavender. (The local thrift shops are a good place to look). To get your Nick on, you’ll need a pink suit, lavender shirt, red flower on your lapel, and a black top hat. Don’t forget the lipstick and eyeshadow. A flamingo walking cane would be a nice extra touch.

More Ideas

Simon Le Bon – Yacht Chic

Nautical stripes, white pants, windblown hair, and an air of tortured frontman poetry. Or, don a life vest and a Drum tshirt and get another Duranie to dress as a Royal Navy rescue man.

John Taylor Bass God

Sleeveless vest, leather pants, bass guitar (real or inflatable), and enough attitude to power an arena. Bonus points if people chant “play that fucking bass, John” when you walk into the room.

Lizard Mutant from “Union of the Snake”

Scaly makeup, reptilian prosthetics, distressed post-apocalyptic rags, and haunting eye contact.

The Chauffeur Dancer (yes, her)

Black lingerie, gloves, sleek bob wig, and major confidence.