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The Star Wattage of Mildred Pierce (1945)
The 1945 cinematic adaptation of Mildred Pierce, directed by Michael Curtiz and starring, of course, Joan Crawford, is a very different beast to the 2011 HBO mini-series starring Kate Winslet. In all honestly it is not as good, but more significantly it is very different in terms of costume. Interestingly enough the mini-series, which is evidently a period piece, is closer in terms of historical accuracy than the near contemporary set Crawford version. This is not the be all and end all, because while Winslet’s Pierce may feel more real in terms of costume and setting, Crawford’s is arguably more fun. If for no other reason than to exemplify how…
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Costume, Colour and Semiotics of Heathers
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 time I saw David Lynch’s Blue Velvet (1986), and I immediately made comparisons between the two films which I may have not noticed otherwise. More people are quick to compare Heathers to the work of Tim Burton, because of the associates he had on the film (producer Denise Di Novi and star Winona Ryder, to name but two) and the fact that the candy-coloured suburban setting mirrors that of Edward…
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Iron Man 3: A Different Kind of Suit
Spoiler warning: We examine the use of suits, iron or otherwise, in Iron Man 3 to conceal and recreate identity.
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Doris Day in Pillow Talk: Couture Allure
Doris Day’s last hurrah for 1950s fashion wearing some of the most exquisite costumes ever seen on screen.
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Gena Rowlands in Gloria: Gangster’s Ex Wears a Skirt Suit
Gena Rowlands' costumes as Gloria evocate character through a fashionable capsule wardrobe.
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Sandra Bullock in The Proposal: Small Wardrobe, Big Impact
With exclusive insight from costume designer Catherine Marie Thomas, we analyse Sandra Bullock’s low volume, big impact wardrobe in The Proposal.
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Full The Dark Knight Rises Trailer Hits: Merry Christmas
Christmas comes early for anyone looking forward to The Dark Knight Rises, as Warner Bros. has just released a full trailer.
The study of costume design in cinema and television. Featuring exclusive articles, news, interviews, videos, podcasts, essays and competitions.
