The House of Baroness is a location featured in the 2021 film Cruella. It is the name of the fashion house founded and owned by Baroness Von Hellman, the main antagonist of the film and the biological mother of Cruella De Vil, the protagonist and future villain of One Hundred and One Dalmatians.
Background[]
The House of Baroness is located in London, England, and is considered to be the pinnacle of haute couture in the 1970s, when the film is set. The Baroness is a renowned and influential fashion designer who is known for her chic and elegant style, as well as her ruthless and narcissistic personality. She hires Estella, a young and rebellious aspiring designer, as one of her assistants, but soon becomes threatened by her talent and creativity. Estella, who adopts the alter ego of Cruella, begins to challenge the Baroness's dominance in the fashion industry, sparking a rivalry that leads to a series of events and revelations that will shape Cruella's destiny.
Production[]
The filming locations for the House of Baroness were mainly in London and Berkshire. The exterior of the fashion house was filmed at the Carlton House Terrace, a row of Georgian townhouses near Buckingham Palace. The interior of the fashion house was filmed at the Goldsmiths' Hall, a historic building that serves as the headquarters of the Goldsmiths' Company, one of the Great Twelve Livery Companies of the City of London. The exterior of the mansion estate was filmed at the Englefield House, a 16th-century country house near Reading. The interior of the mansion estate was filmed at various locations, including the Hatfield House, a Jacobean house in Hertfordshire, and the Loseley Park, a Tudor manor house in Surrey. The coastal cliffs near the mansion estate were created with computer-generated imagery.
Employees[]
- Baroness Von Hellman: The founder of the House of Baroness and an esteemed fashion designer. She is portrayed by Emma Thompson.
- Jeffrey: The Baroness' assistant, who is always by her side and does whatever she asks him to do. He is also a fashionista himself and often wears stylish outfits. He is portrayed by Andrew Leung.
- Gerald: The Baroness' chauffeur and bodyguard, who drives her around in a luxurious car and protects her from any threats. He is loyal to the Baroness and follows her orders without question. He is portrayed by Jamie Demetriou.
- John: The Baroness' lawyer and confidant, who handles her legal affairs and advises her on various matters. He is also the one who delivered Cruella to Catherine, the Baroness' maid when she was a baby. He is portrayed by Mark Strong.
- Roger Radcliffe: A lawyer who works for the House of Baroness and a friend of Anita Radcliffe. He is also a musician and a dog lover, who owns a Dalmatian named Pongo. He is portrayed by Kayvan Novak.
- Cruella De Vil: A maid hired by the Baroness as a fashion designer after impressing her with a window display. She is her most trusted and esteemed employee. She is portrayed by Emma Stone.
