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Phantom Thread: An Insight into Autism and Relationships
SPOILERS If you’ve heard anything about Phantom Thread (2017, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson), you are bound to uncover a multitude of thoughts on the astounding Academy Award winning costume work of Mark Bridges or the retirement role of Daniel Day-Lewis as Reynolds Woodcock, 1950s fashion house couturier. But one of the key components to Reynolds is missing from the discussion: Autism. Phantom Thread opens with Reynolds (Day-Lewis) getting dressed to formalities of the era. Polished shoes, ironed trousers, a fresh button-down shirt, with the addition of long magenta socks to introduce the notion of creativity, or perhaps particularities to the character. The scene moves to breakfast, which quietly adds…
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Arnold Scaasi (8 May 1930 – 3 August 2015)
When Arnold Scaasi opened his couture salon in 1964, he soon became a couturier to the stars. He was already a favoured designer for Barbra Streisand when he famously dressed her for the 1969 Oscars. Streisand was up for Best Actress for her movie debut in Funny Girl and was established as something of an ‘individual’; usually described as ‘kooky’, she was completely different from anyone else, an innovator of style, and challenging and changing the ideas of beauty. So it is no surprise that when it came to her clothing choice for the Oscars, Streisand resisted the usual protocol of an evening gown and instead opted for a most…
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12 Years a Slave: Rags and Tatters
We may have to eat our words, but as it stands 12 Years a Slave is unlikely to win the Best Costume Design Oscar. It does tick some of the necessary boxes: it’s period (mid 19th century), features both crinolines and cravats, and is part of the popular ballot. Yet being as the protagonist spends most of his time in just an increasingly distressed tunic shirt, the Academy may just feel costume designer Patricia Norris has really not worked hard enough. Flippancy toward the Academy aside, 12 Years a Slave remains a wonderfully rich costume experience. Every fibre leaps off the screen with detail and feeling. The cool weave of…
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Anna Karenina: Jacqueline Durran Talks Jewellery & Costume
Costume designer Jacqueline Durran discusses her unusual approach for Anna Karenina – 1870s Russia via 1950s couture.
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Looper: Costume Designer Sharen Davis Reveals Inspiration
Costume Designer Sharen Davis talks us through her retro-vision for Looper.
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Prada Provided Carey Mulligan’s Gowns for The Great Gatsby
The best kept secret in costume design is finally out: Prada made Carey Mulligan’s gowns for The Great Gatsby.
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Illuminate More Than Hide: Costume Design in A Separation
The religious and cultural significance of the costume design in foreign language Oscar winner A Separation.
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The Great Gatsby Trailer: Roaring Costumes
In a week of exciting trailers, the first for director Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby must surely be the most thrilling of all.
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Dressing the Part: Historical Costume Event
If you live near the Getty Center, there really is no excuse not to attend their Dressing the Part: Historical Costume on Film event.
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Dressing the Stars: British Costume Design Exhibition
An exhibition of British costume design from films such as The King’s Speech and Pirates of the Caribbean opens at the Fashion Museum in July.
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CDG Awards: Black Swan Takes the Prize
Costume designer Amy Westcott has finally been rewarded for her work on Black Swan with a CDG Award.
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Black Swan: Amy Westcott Interview
Amy Westcott talks exclusively to Clothes on Film about her process on Black Swan, that Oscar snub and the recent controversy surrounding herself and Rodarte.
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