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 Fantasy & Sci-fi,  Guys in Films,  Premium

    Become The Babadook

    28 Oct ’14 /

    On the surface the Babadook is just another bogeyman: prickly, sinewy, all arched limbs and spiky digits. And this is the point: he is just another bogeyman; it is what he represents that really matters. Without spoiling too much, The Babadook is larger than life because he is the exaggerated physical manifestation of our demons. In this respect he could look like anyone – wherever our fears lead. Nonetheless for the purposes of dressing up as the Babadook for this Halloween, and having anyone actually guess who you are, the following is required: top hat, cape and some pointy things to stick on your fingers. To achieve maximum scare, however,…

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    New Thor Pic: Now Hopkins & Hiddleston

    14 Jul ’10

    Review: Inception

    13 Jul ’10

    The New Batsuit Reveal: Cute But Sinewy

    14 May ’14
  • Clothes from 1920s,  Clothes from 1930s,  Interviews,  Premium

    Puttin’ on the Glitz at The British Library: A Look Back

    11 Apr ’14 /

    A fortnight ago to the day, Clothes on Film creator and editor Christopher Laverty joined fashion historian Amber Jane Butchart to give one of two talks and a Q&A chat at The British Library in London. The subjects under discussion were, respectively, the unexpectedly colourful clothing of Prohibition era gangsters as portrayed in the HBO television series Boardwalk Empire, and the influence of movies and movie star style on fashion during The Jazz Age. After Christopher and Amber finished their talks to a delighted audience (they clapped), everyone reconvened to the elegant backdrop of the main library grounds to swig cocktails and dance the night away to Alex Mendham &…

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    HBO Sessions Video: Clothes on Film Discuss Mildred Pierce

    21 Nov ’11

    The Fortune: Costume Guide – Dressing Soft For Murder

    19 Jan ’10

    Boardwalk Empire Trailer Hits. Can. Not. Wait.

    14 Jun ’10
  • Clothes from 1920s,  Clothes from 1930s,  Interviews

    Puttin’ on the Glitz: An Upcoming Fashion and Film Event

    12 Mar ’14 /

    Here’s a bit of justified promotion for an event you will absolutely want to see: fashion historian, DJ for Jazz FM, author and Clothes on Film contributor, Amber Jane Butchart, teams up with your very own editor, Christopher Laverty, for an exquisite evening entitled Puttin’ on the Glitz on 28th March in London. Taking place at the sumptuous, gorgeous, you-really-should-have-been-there-by-now British Library, Amber and Christopher present two separate talks pertaining to the 1920/30’s Jazz Era before coming together to answer questions from the audience. After that, there will be cocktails and period frivolities courtesy of The Vintage Mafia. It all starts at 6.30 pm and finishes around 10.30, so plenty…

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    Boardwalk Empire: Why Men Should Embrace the Dandy Man

    31 Jan ’11

    Lawless: Interview with Costume Designer Margot Wilson

    27 Sep ’12

    First Official Gatsby Pics Bring the Money

    14 Dec ’11
  • Clothes from 1970s,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films

    American Hustle: Beneath the Glamour

    13 Jan ’14 /

    MILD SPOILERS Costume designer Michael Wilkinson’s main accomplishment with American Hustle has largely been overlooked in favour of praising him as some kind of vintage stylist with an eye for provocative gowns and desirable heels. The truth is he has carefully brought to life a world, not of parties and glamour, but cheap sex and dirty desperation. The costumes in American Hustle do tell a story, particularly through their ever darkening colour palette, yet Wilkinson’s deftest skill is reflecting an era when fashion was as confused as the politics surrounding it. American Hustle is an unapologetic tale of low down dirty double-crossers whose clothes, like them, were a lie. A…

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    Scarface: Dress and Excess

    5 Sep ’11

    Mr Nice starring Rhys Ifans: Lots of Nice Photos

    14 Aug ’10

    Argo Buy a Sports Jacket: The Thinking Man’s Hero Attire

    16 Nov ’12
  • Costume Stories and Links

    Costume Stories: This Week, Boardwalk Empire & Rush

    21 Sep ’13 /

    BAMF A well written and comprehensive site with a growing list of gents film/TV costume posts in the ‘get the look’ format. Like this a lot. Costume design, JK Rowling’s new Harry Potter movie, and the wizarding fashions of 1920s New York Hello Tailor gets lost in the world of world of Hogwarts costume. And in Part 2… She sets her sights on the flapper effect. Fashion Have no doubt; costume designers have a big impact on fashion. The Great Gatsby Lisa Hix for Collector’s Weekly finds more to say on The Great Gatsby. Her starting point? Boobs. Rush Gilt talk to Julian Day about his period costume work on…

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    Costume Stories: This Week, Barry Lyndon & Sleepy Hollow

    14 Sep ’13

    Costume Stories: This Week, The Butler and Evil Dead

    17 Aug ’13

    Costume Stories, This Week: Amy Adams & Sleepy Hollow

    25 Jan ’14
  • Clothes from 1837-1919,  Clothes from 1920s,  Guys in Films,  Premium

    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 cool as ice chips and doesn’t pull any punches. However Boardwalk Empire is set in the attractive seaside landscape of Atlantic City, USA, while Peaky Blinders is set in Birmingham. The whole palette is different too. Boardwalk is colourful and vibrant, Peaky is dark and dingy. Evidently this extends to the clothes. You wouldn’t have got far walking around Birmingham in an orange silk shirt and camel coat; this was…

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    Lord Christopher Laverty 28 Comments

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    Review: The Woman in Black

    10 Feb ’12

    Les Aventures Extraordinaires d’Adele Blanc-Sec: Full Trailer

    23 Mar ’10

    Dual Analysis: The Young Victoria – Chris’ Thoughts

    28 Jul ’10
  • Costume Stories and Links

    Costume Stories: This Week, Look of Love and Man of Steel

    22 Jun ’13 /

    The week’s costume stories and links.

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    Costume Stories: This Week, Diana & TIFF

    7 Sep ’13

    Costume Stories, This Week: Thor: The Dark World and Reign

    26 Oct ’13

    Costume Stories: This Week, FIDM and Breaking Bad

    3 Aug ’13
  • Clothes from 1920s,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Premium

    Costume in The Great Gatsby: Use Your Imagination

    23 May ’13 /

    Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin bring us the twenties reloaded.

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    Boardwalk Empire Trailer Hits. Can. Not. Wait.

    14 Jun ’10

    HBO Sessions Video: Clothes on Film Discuss Boardwalk Empire

    3 Jan ’12

    Dress like a Peaky Blinder

    13 Sep ’13
  • Clothes from 1920s,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Premium

    The Great Gatsby: A Conversation with Catherine Martin

    20 May ’13 /

    Catherine Martin chats about The Great Gatsby costumes, design and a lack of nostalgia.

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    The Great Gatsby Costumes at Brooks Brothers in London

    2 May ’13

    Puttin’ on the Glitz: An Upcoming Fashion and Film Event

    12 Mar ’14

    HBO Sessions Video: Clothes on Film Discuss Boardwalk Empire

    3 Jan ’12
  • Clothes from 1920s,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films

    The Great Gatsby Costumes at Brooks Brothers in London

    2 May ’13 /

    We visited Brooks Brothers to check out their costume display from The Great Gatsby.

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    Review: Hugo – With Exclusive Insight From Sandy Powell

    23 Dec ’11

    Latest Trailer for The Great Gatsby: Fancy Clothes

    4 Apr ’13

    Review: The King’s Speech

    19 Jan ’11
  • Clothes from 1920s,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Interviews

    Of Money and Sex: Fitzgerald, Luhrmann, and Clothing in The Great Gatsby

    19 Apr ’13 /

    We analyse exactly what Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin need to get right for their costume design in The Great Gatsby.

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    Contributor 2 Comments

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    Costume in The Great Gatsby: Use Your Imagination

    23 May ’13

    Status and Signifiers: Costume in There Will Be Blood

    1 Apr ’14

    HBO Sessions Video: Clothes on Film Discuss Boardwalk Empire

    3 Jan ’12
  • Clothes from 1920s,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films

    Latest Trailer for The Great Gatsby: Fancy Clothes

    4 Apr ’13 /

    The latest and probably last trailer for Baz Luhrmann's adaptation of The Great Gatsby before its début at Cannes.

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    Lord Christopher Laverty 1 Comment

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    Tom Hardy in Lawless: The Knitwear Anti-Hero

    21 Sep ’12

    Of Money and Sex: Fitzgerald, Luhrmann, and Clothing in The Great Gatsby

    19 Apr ’13

    Trailer for Amelia Touches Down: Radical Fashions 1920s-30s

    26 Jun ’09
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