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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  • Bond on film,  Clothes from now,  Clothes on Film Video,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Interviews

    Oscars 2020: Red Carpet Livestream

    8 Feb ’20 /

    Join Clothes on Film editor Christopher Laverty for a special Oscars Red Carpet Livestream. You better believe he’s wearing a custom made crown.

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    Live and Let Die: Yaphet Kotto’s Brown Suede Trench Coat

    26 Feb ’10

    Roger Moore’s Plaid Jacket in The Man with the Golden Gun

    5 Oct ’11

    Sean Connery in Dr. No: The Template For 007

    10 Dec ’10
  • Clothes from 1950s,  Clothes in Films,  Film Reviews,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Premium

    Phantom Thread: An Insight into Autism and Relationships

    23 Mar ’18 /

    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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    Costuming Hitchcock: An Extract from Hitchcock’s Heroines by Caroline Young

    6 Jun ’18

    So Dior Exhibition at Harrods: Movie Star Dresses

    21 May ’13

    Edith Head Sketches for Grace Kelly Costumes to be Auctioned

    11 Nov ’10
  • Clothes from 1970s,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films

    The Post Trailer Debuts: Ann Roth sets the Tone

    8 Nov ’17 /

    Costume designer Ann Roth, arguably one of the greatest of her craft still working in Hollywood, has costumed director Steven Spielberg’s latest The Post, and by the looks of this first trailer we are in for a muted treat: What we have are gentlemen sporting classic collar points with moderate spread, sometimes short sleeve (always with a chest pocket – a very American touch) and medium breadth neckties. The occasional kipper, but this 1971 is a very different world than, say, The Deuce (costume designer Anna Terrazas). The seventies may have ushered in increasingly wide flared trousers and oversized lapels but it’s doubtful we’ll see much of those in The…

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    Rush Trailer: Olivia Wilde Looks Sensational in 70’s Costume

    26 Apr ’13

    Dual Analysis: The Big Lebowski – Chris’ Thoughts

    1 Jun ’10

    Saturday Night Fever: John Travolta’s White Suit

    16 Nov ’09
  • Clothes from Fantasy & Sci-fi,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Interviews

    Beauty and the Beast: Q&A with Jacqueline Durran

    12 Apr ’17 /

    There are already a lot of excellent interviews with Oscar winning Beauty and the Beast costume designer Jacqueline Durran online, so with our limited communication we wanted to ask a little more about Belle’s (Emma Watson) day-to-day ensemble and the creation of Gaston’s attire (Luke Evans), arguably the closest character to his 1991 animated counterpart. Ms. Durran, currently hard at work on a new project, was kind enough to provide a few brief responses: Clothes on Film: How did you go about creating costumes for a computer generated Beast? Jacqueline Durran: When I first started prep on the movie the Beast was going to be a prosthetic beast. Had this…

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    Preview Tickets for Tron Legacy! Two Pairs to Give Away!

    22 Nov ’10

    Game of Thrones Costume Analysis: Cersei Lannister

    6 Sep ’13

    A Colourful Tale: The Costume Canvas of Dick Tracy

    27 Feb ’15
  • Clothes from Fantasy & Sci-fi,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Interviews

    Beauty and the Beast at Central Saint Martins

    17 Mar ’17 /

    To tie-in with the release of Disney’s new live-action version of Beauty and Beast, the project’s Oscar winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran teamed up with students from Central Saint Martin’s college in London to reinterpret ensembles from the film. These are outfits designed in homage to Beauty and the Beast, taking specific elements here and there, a song, colour or concept and creating something entirely new. Whether these are fashion or art pieces is ultimately unclear – what stands out though is their reach beyond that of merely marketing a big movie. Just as an idea it would be fantastic to see more films promoting their costumes in this way.…

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    Moon: The Double Meaning of Sam Rockwell’s Costume Design

    25 May ’12

    Teaser Trailer: Disney’s Maleficent: Evil Wears Fur

    13 Nov ’13

    Luke Cage: Swiss Cheese Hoodie

    14 Nov ’16
  • Clothes from 1930s,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films,  Premium

    Dressed to Serve: Costume in The Grand Budapest Hotel

    4 Jul ’14 /

    SPOILERS From a costume point of view, and therefore a character point of view, The Grand Budapest Hotel (directed by Wes Anderson) is all about uniforms; those worn by men and women in official capacities and those adopted as a life uniform by those trapped in the past. Eccentric La Belle Époque hangover Madame D (Tilda Swinton) is the latter, Moustafa Zero (Tony Revolori), a newly appointed lobby boy in the pinnacle of majestic 1930s hotels, The Grand Budapest, is the former. While Madame D goes nowhere, perhaps because she has already been everywhere, Zero undertakes a journey and evolution of character, which subsequently means his clothing does too. In…

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    Swing Time: Ginger Rogers’ Day Dress

    26 May ’09

    Mildred Pierce: Uniform Appeal

    1 Dec ’11

    Kate Winslet in Mildred Pierce: Sex and the Housedress

    1 Jul ’11
  • Costume Stories and Links

    Costume Stories, This Week: The Oscars and House of Cards

    1 Mar ’14 /

    Costume’s big week. Every dress worn by Best Actress Academy Award Winners We featured this lovely infographic by Mediarun on our Facebook page. Roll on Sunday! Funny Face Good article on the classic film by Pamela Hutchinson, including a telling quote summing up just how little Audrey Hepburn really understood about costume design: “His (Givenchy) are the only clothes on which I am myself.” Bobi Garland Bobi Garland is Director of the Research Library and Costume Archive at Western Costume. You are about to find out why she is indispensible to the industry. Costume Designers Guild Awards Ladies and gentlemen, the winners. Toy Story An enthralling theory on the true…

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    Costume Stories: This Week, Mad Men and Revenge

    18 May ’13

    Costume Stories, This Week: Sandy Powell and Bad Grandpa

    16 Nov ’13

    Costume Stories: This Week, Blue Jasmine and Roman Holiday

    24 Aug ’13
  • Clothes from 1837-1919,  Girls in Films,  Guys in Films

    12 Years a Slave: Rags and Tatters

    20 Jan ’14 /

    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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    Sherlock Holmes Costume Guide Part 2: Tweed Suits and Ulsters

    20 May ’10

    Anna Karenina: Jacqueline Durran Talks Jewellery & Costume

    11 Jan ’13

    First Official Image: Sherlock Holmes 2

    15 Jan ’11
  • Costume Stories and Links

    Costume Stories, This Week: Oscar and Hart of Dixie

    18 Jan ’14 /

    Her Costume designer Casey Storm on creating a “warm and cosy and soothing” future. David Chronenberg: Evolution For WORN, Haley Mlotek examines the costumes on display at the Chronenberg exhibition, most of which are by the director’s sister, Denise. Unfortunately ‘Evolution’ closes on 19th January. Oscar Nominations Nathalie Atkinson on why the Best Costume Design category has basically become ‘Best Taffeta in a Leading Role’. Nailed it. And HERE she casts an eye over the equally baffling CDGA’s. African Dandies The new Guinness ad draws attention to some colourfully dressed gentlemen we really should be seeing a lot more of by now. Carol Ramsey Costume designer of Horrible Bosses and…

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    Costume Round Up: Any Colour so long as it’s Black

    30 Mar ’13

    Costume Round Up: Villains

    6 Apr ’13

    Costume Stories: This Week, Catching Fire and Mad Men

    1 Jun ’13
  • Costume Stories and Links

    Costume Stories, This Week: Piero Tosi and Veep

    23 Nov ’13 /

    The week, the costume stories. Oldboy Ruth Carter on working with Elizabeth Olsen and co. for Spike Lee’s upcoming remake. Some really fab costume sketches too. Piero Tosi The wonderful costume designer (The Leopard, The Night Porter), now 86, receives an honorary Oscar. Sleepy Hollow Generous costume designer Kristin M. Burke once again answers fan questions on Twitter. We really must catch up with this show. 20 Worst Dressed Movie Characters Don’t agree with half of these but it’s a fun list nonetheless. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Further insight into Trish Sumerville’s creative process. This interview, by Kristen Hohenadel, is one of the best currently doing the rounds. …and…

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    Costume Stories: This Week, Gatsby and Capitol Couture

    20 Apr ’13

    Costume Stories: This Week, Downton Abbey & Breaking Bad

    28 Sep ’13

    Costume Stories, This Week: Grace of Monaco & Penny Dreadful

    17 May ’14
  • Costume Stories and Links

    Costume Stories: This Week, Barry Lyndon & Sleepy Hollow

    14 Sep ’13 /

    Catch up with the week’s costume links. Fashion Fall Trends From big screen and small, Nathalie Atkinson analyses – with typical and unrelenting brilliance – inspiration for the fall fashion season. Ken Van Duyne, Assistant Costume Designer Chats about his way into the business and working with Julie Weiss. Piero Tosi The Italian costume designer (Death in Venice, The Night Porter) has been given an honorary Oscar. Well done, sir. Costume designers as brands Cassy Salyer looks at the increasing (and potentially controversial) trend for costume designers to produce capsule versions for the high street. The Bling Ring Video: The Cut meet costume designer Stacey Battat. Sleepy Hollow Costume designer…

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    Costume Stories: This Week, The Bling Ring and Anchorman

    8 Jun ’13

    Costume Stories, This Week: Catching Fire and Downton Abbey

    9 Nov ’13

    Costume Stories: This Week, Jobs and Tootsie

    13 Jul ’13
  • Clothes from 1970s,  Clothes from 1980s,  Guys in Films,  Premium

    Behind the Candelabra: Wearing Liberace On Stage and Off

    31 May ’13 /

    Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick brings Liberace back to life on stage and off.

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    Blaxploitation Dress Codes in 1970s Cinema

    20 Sep ’13

    Meryl Streep in Costume for The Iron Lady Trailer

    7 Jul ’11

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

    29 Aug ’13
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