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Black Caesar_Fred Williamson grey homburg street_cap

Black Caesar: Blaxploitation Gangster

Fred Williamson as Tommy Gibbs adopts the gangster codes of 1930s cinema in blaxploitation classic Black Caesar. Continue reading→

Peaky Blinders_Cillian Murphy centre coat_Image credit BBC

Peaky Blinders: Q&A with Costume Designer Stephanie Collie

15 Oct ’13

If you’re not watching BBC 2’s gangster western Peaky Blinders, stop reading now and seek it out on iPlayer – there’s still one episode left so you have time to join the party. Peaky Blinders is the slow burning tale … Continue reading→

Costume, Colour and Semiotics of Heathers

4 Oct ’13

Filmmaker and costume designer Sophie Black recounts her personal interpretation of Heathers, a film defined by vivid visual interpretation. It is just a coincidence that the first time I saw Michael Lehmann’s Heathers (1988) was within hours of the first … Continue reading→

Working Girl_Melanie Griffith_Check pattern trench top

Working Girl: The Culture of Power Dressing

27 Sep ’13

Costume designer Ann Roth’s template for Working Girl (1988, directed by Mike Nichols) is especially astute with regards to the social and geographical make up of its characters. Protagonist Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) is a homely girl raised and living … Continue reading→

Arts Illustrated_Vol 2_Blaxploitation crop 2

Blaxploitation Dress Codes in 1970s Cinema

20 Sep ’13

Fabric of Cinema is Clothes on Film editor Chris Laverty’s regular column in design journal Arts Illustrated. Its second issue has recently gone to print covering the subject of activism in art (subtitled ‘Wake up, stand up’). Fitting neatly around … Continue reading→

Peaky Blinders_Cillian Murphy hat top_Image credit Tiger Aspect Productions

Dress like a Peaky Blinder

13 Sep ’13

Let’s get this straight: Peaky Blinders is not Boardwalk Empire. It’s a post World War I gangster drama, during roughly the same time period (1919 as opposed to the early 20’s), it’s gritty, features loyal yet warring brothers, is as … Continue reading→

Game of Thrones_Lena Headey_dress front_Image credit HBO.com

Game of Thrones Costume Analysis: Cersei Lannister

6 Sep ’13

Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) is the quintessential evil queen, right up there with The Queen from Snow White and the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. Or is she..? Throughout Game of Thrones we have been given clues as … Continue reading→

The Look of Love_Chris Addison, Steve Coogan, Imogen Poots main_Image credit FilmFour

The Look of Love: Q&A with Costume Designer Stephanie Collie

29 Aug ’13

As is often the way with costume designers, Stephanie Collie is something of an unsung hero. We will not reel off her entire back catalogue, but it does include South Riding (2011, TV), Telstar (2008) Peter’s Friends (1992) and perhaps … Continue reading→

Alan Partridge Alpha Papa_Steve Coogan, right, sweater_Image credit StudioCanal UK

Alpha Papa: Dress like a Partridge

21 Aug ’13

Stone slacks, leather cardigan, pale denim – who wouldn’t want to dress like Alan Partridge? This may be dad brand clothing, but it announces you as the most confident man in the room. Driving gloves? That’s nothing. Try removing your … Continue reading→