Clothes on Film

The study of costume design in cinema and television. Featuring exclusive articles, news, interviews, videos, podcasts, essays and competitions.

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  • Clothes from 1940s,  Guys in Films,  Interviews,  Premium

    Dunkirk: Interview with Costume Designer Jeffrey Kurland

    31 Jul ’17 /

    Amongst staggering aural and visual assault, perhaps one of the quietest aspects of Dunkirk (2017, directed by Christopher Nolan) are its costumes – and this is to its credit. Dunkirk is the type of film that requires you to engage quickly with everything you see on screen. Jeffrey Kurland’s costume design is masterful in this regard. A sea of subtly differentiated green and brown with the pop of naval uniforms and briefly glimpsed civilian wear. This is 1940 at its most spare and rudimentary. Here, Jeffrey Kurland chats exclusively to Clothes on Film about his process for creating the world of Dunkirk: SPOILERS THROUGHOUT Clothes on Film: How did you…

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    Lord Christopher Laverty 6 Comments

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    To Catch a Thief: Grace Kelly’s Beach Wear

    5 Apr ’11

    Film Review: Shutter Island

    13 Apr ’10

    Review: Captain America: The First Avenger

    25 Jul ’11
  • Clothes from 1940s,  Clothes from 1950s,  Clothes from 1980s

    Cinema Paradiso: Invisible Costume

    9 Feb ’15 /

    Cinema Paradiso is a beautiful examination of the relationship human beings have with film. This connection is explored through the story of a young boy and his friendship with the projectionist at the town’s local cinema. The strength of this friendship is only surpassed in intensity by the boy’s deep desire to become a part of the world of movie making. This is a story not about the medium of film in itself, but about the real people whose lives are illuminated by the stories it relates. As a tale primarily of ordinary Roma people, the costumes in Cinema Paradiso, as designed by Beatrice Bordone, help create a 1940s/50’s period…

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    Lord Christopher Laverty Comments Off on Cinema Paradiso: Invisible Costume

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    His Girl Friday: Rosalind Russell’s Chevron Striped Coat

    18 Jun ’09

    Robert Cummings in Saboteur: Costume Judgement

    4 Jan ’11

    Film Review: Shutter Island

    13 Apr ’10
  • Clothes from now,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Interviews,  Premium

    Brian de Palma’s Passion: Costume as Contemporary Hitchcock

    16 Oct ’14 /

    Director Brian De Palma has made movies heavily influenced by Alfred Hitchcock before, but Passion (2012) is the first one whose characters look like they stepped out of one of Hitchcock’s classic films. Karen Muller-Serreau’s bold and colourful costumes communicate the characters’ hidden desires and make watching Passion a sensory experience. This melodrama centres on two ad executives, Isabelle (Noomi Rapace) and her boss Christine (Rachel McAdams), who have a deadline to come up with an ad campaign for a new smartphone. In her sleep, Isabelle thinks of a great idea. The two other principal characters are Isabelle’s assistant Dani (Karoline Herfurth) and Christine’s boyfriend Dirk (Paul Anderson) who get…

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    Lord Christopher Laverty Comments Off on Brian de Palma’s Passion: Costume as Contemporary Hitchcock

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    Stoker: Colour the Narrative

    8 Nov ’13

    Anna Karenina Coming to Banana Republic: Costume Fashion?

    30 Jun ’12

    Sleepy Hollow: Q&A with Costume Designer Kristin M. Burke

    4 Feb ’14
  • Clothes from Fantasy & Sci-fi,  Clothes from now,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Premium

    Realism through Identity: Clothing in The Last of Us

    30 Nov ’13 /

    If you have played The Last of Us on Playstation 3 it has likely ruined video gaming for you. The world created is so vivid and believable that every game afterward just feels dated and empty. Throughout, The Last of Us is unwaveringly real, full of seemingly inconsequential details such as every weapon or object you carry being attached or able to fit into your character’s backpack. Contrast this with Grand Theft Auto V where a rocket launcher appears out of your trouser pocket and it’s clear that if game developers really want to create a living, breathing parallel to reality they need to treat it as reality – no…

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    Lord Christopher Laverty 2 Comments

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    Film Review: Iron Man 2

    3 May ’10

    Four Slices of Costume Pie from the Star Wars VII Trailer

    28 Nov ’14

    Game of Thrones Costume Analysis: Cersei Lannister

    6 Sep ’13
  • Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Interviews,  News

    Hollywood Costume Exhibition Opens at the V&A in London

    26 Oct ’12 /

    A rundown of why Hollywood Costume at the V&A is the best event you will see all year.

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    Lord Christopher Laverty 4 Comments

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    A Star is Born: The Cotton Rebel

    12 Oct ’18

    The Artist: Interview with Mark Bridges

    22 Nov ’11

    World War Z and the Art of Breaking Down

    27 Jun ’13
  • Clothes from 1980s,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Premium

    Style & Identity in Do the Right Thing

    17 Feb ’12 /

    Ruth E. Carter’s work on Do the Right Thing is a masterclass in how costume can influence the look and feel of a film.

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    Contributor 6 Comments

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    The Gumshoe Chic of Mickey Rourke in Angel Heart (1987)

    29 Nov ’19

    Argo: Interview with Costume Designer Jacqueline West

    16 Feb ’13

    Rumble Fish: Dress Code Integrity in Gang Culture

    30 Aug ’12
  • Clothes from 2000-10,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Interviews,  Premium

    Winter’s Bone: Rebecca Hofherr Interview

    12 Jan ’12 /

    Costume designer Rebecca Hofherr talks exclusively to Clothes on Film about her incredible contribution to Winter’s Bone.

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    Lord Christopher Laverty 1 Comment

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    Inception: Costume Style Analysis VLOG

    19 Aug ’20

    Contemporary Costume: Where Have the Aloha Shirts Gone?

    20 Jun ’14

    The A-Team Movie: First Official Pic – Suited Bradley Cooper

    24 Oct ’09