Lucy Liu’s Iconic Kill Bill Costume Secretly Nods to Another Tarantino Masterpiece

Here’s a fun behind-the-scenes tidbit for anyone still obsessed with Kill Bill (guilty): Lucy Liu didn’t just show up in that iconic O-Ren Ishii kimono. Turns out, the final look was very much her idea—plus, it’s basically a full-on visual shout-out to Pulp Fiction. I’ll be honest, this story is a little more fashion-nerd than blood-sprayed-ninja, but if you care about Tarantino lore, you’ll want to know how this all went down.

How O-Ren’s Costume Nearly Went Off the Rails

So, Lucy Liu just revealed in a Vogue interview that when she first got her hands on the Kill Bill script, Tarantino’s plan for her wardrobe was... let’s call it unconventional. According to Liu, Quentin wanted O-Ren Ishii to wear something “very different”—his words—described as ‘this kind of communist gray’ look. Not exactly what you picture for a mafia boss ruling Tokyo’s underworld.

The script itself was apparently brilliant (Quentin is really such an artist and visionary, Liu said), but her own vision for the character was miles away from Soviet utilitarian. She saw O-Ren as having an elegance and femininity that deserved a little more style than drab gray.

The Pulp Fiction Connection: Suits, Ties, and Kimonos?

Here’s where it gets cool: instead of just pushing for any random kimono, Liu suggested they riff on the distinctive look from Pulp Fiction—think John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson in their classic black suits, skinny ties, and crisp white shirts. The minimalist monochrome thing, but make it Japanese gangster boss.

'Why don’t we take what you are known for, like your Pulp Fiction? The black ties, the white shirts, the black suits, that simplicity, and use that as the base?'

Basically, she saw the visual DNA from Tarantino’s most famous film and asked the costume designer, Kumiko Ogawa, to channel that into the kimono’s design. The first time we see O-Ren, it’s that black kimono with a sharp white collar underneath—a not-so-subtle tribute to Pulp Fiction’s menswear.

But Liu didn’t stop there. For the showdown in the snow garden (one of those scenes that’s basically tattooed onto the brain once you’ve seen it), she pitched in with another spin—swapping the color scheme to white-on-the-outside with a black lining. Visual poetry, folks.

Liu says Tarantino was game for her suggestions, and it led to a very different, much more memorable version of O-Ren Ishii than what was originally on the drawing board. Sometimes the best characters are the ones the actors help shape, right?

Quick Recap: What Else Did Lucy Liu Reveal?

• O-Ren’s whole look wasn’t strictly Tarantino’s idea—Liu and costume designer Kumiko Ogawa deserve huge credit
• The original plan for O-Ren’s clothes was 'communist gray' (which honestly would’ve been a waste of Lucy Liu)
• The black and white kimono is a nod to Pulp Fiction’s black suits and white shirts
• Liu also suggested reversing the color palette for the snow garden confrontation
• Liu won the 2004 MTV Movie Award for Best Villain for her work as O-Ren (and she seriously earned it)

So next time you (re)watch Kill Bill, keep an eye on O-Ren’s wardrobe. It’s not just a stylish costume, it’s a walking reference to Tarantino’s own history—and a great reminder that sometimes the actors have the best style instincts in the room.