Kurt and Bart are fascinating. Forged as art school drop outs in 1980s New York, their name is now a singular brand to movers and shakers in the media industry. Yet they are two people, two very real people: Kurt Swanson and Bart Mueller, renowned costume designers and wardrobe stylists for film, stage, TV and commercials. Since the early 2000s, Kurt and Bart have really stepped up their work costume designing film (forgive the pun but they actually did costume Step Up 3D), although runaway hit Stoker is arguably their highest profile feature yet. In fact Stoker is the most beguiling film of 2013 so far for costume. This is…

Clothes from films set during 1980s Brigsby Bear tells the bizarre yet charming tale of a young man, James Pope (Kyle Mooney), who was kidnapped as a baby and subsequently released into the world many years later with no knowledge of[…] Despite being set in the present day, the world of Brigsby Bear (2017, directed by Dave McCary) is a cosy 1980s nostalgia affair. Most of what we see either comes from or belongs to another[…] 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…

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Christoph Waltz, Leonardo DiCaprio Directed By: Quentin Tarantino MILD SPOILERS A Quentin Tarantino movie cannot be summed up by genre. It transcends, using in this case ‘the Western’ to unfold a cruel, but humorous tale of robust men and women defined by the myth of the Old West. Case in point: Django Unchained is actually set in the Deep South. Each character we encounter is playing a role; constructing a persona comprised of violent gambits and double-talk. Sharen Davis’ costume design quietly reveals their intentions so we know these individuals before they know themselves. Slave Django (Jamie Foxx) may be unchained in the first scene, but he…

Brigsby Bear tells the bizarre yet charming tale of a young man, James Pope (Kyle Mooney), who was kidnapped as a baby and subsequently released into the world many years later with no knowledge of it beyond a non-existent kids television show. The film evokes a nostalgic view of the 1980s and, while is contemporary set, gently embraces that period in terms of its aesthetic. Costume designer for Brigsby Bear, Sarah Mae Burton, experienced in both television and film, has created a familiar yet distinctive vibe that feels entirely believable. Here she talks exclusively to Clothes on Film about her process: Clothes on Film: James Pope’s world for twenty five…

Since 19th July, The London Film Museum has been running an exhibition of props and costumes from 20th Century Fox movies to celebrate the studio’s 75th anniversary. Clothes on Film decided to make a visit, a bit late in the day, but we had a good look round anyway. There were not that many costumes in the Fox exhibition (certainly considering the history of the studio), but the museum itself has plenty more to see. Just to be in the same room as some of these memorable outfits is a thrill, especially from more recent movies where memories are fresh. With this is mind, here is our pick of Fox’s…

Costume catch up time. Puttin’ on the Glitz Clothes on Film editor Christopher Laverty will be teaming up with the incomparable Amber Jane Butchart for an exciting talk at the British Library. Man of Steel Michael Wilkinson talks about his design process on the film, plus his overall approach to costuming in general at this LACMA event. For Tyranny of Style, Brianne Gillen records the details. Divergent Carlo Poggioli’s costume sketches and character info. Looks good, but will probably save reading this until after watching. Due 21st. Constantine First look at the trenchcoat wearing, Sting-alike lead character for NBC’s new television series. True Detective Costume designer Jenny Eagan talks about…

It is with huge anticipation that we take an exclusive look at FilmCraft: Costume Design by Deborah Nadoolman Landis, arguably the most important person in the costume industry today. As costume designer for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), Coming to America (1988), Burke and Hare (2010), and many other well known titles, in addition to former two-term president of the CDG, academic scholar and now museum curator, Nadoolman Landis is ideally placed to write such a book. It reads to us like an update of her similarly titled ScreenCraft volume from 2003, but is not officially intended as such. This all new publication features a detailed introduction, plus interviews…

There is a problem with the costumes in The Wolf of Wall Street, and it has nothing to do with the film itself but the coverage they have received. Namely, that this coverage is incorrect. Articles such as this one for Vogue France, or this for The Hollywood Reporter, or a ‘suit guide’ by Esquire, concentrate almost solely on Giorgio Armani’s contribution to the project with barely a mention of costume designer Sandy Powell. And this is the Sandy Powell by the way: 10 Oscar nominations and so well respected she has an OBE for services to the industry. It was Powell who costumed The Wolf of Wall Street, not…

Right, sit comfortably with a cocktail (we encourage that here) because this is an excellent competition with an excellent prize: we have five copies of Liz Gregory’s new movie dressmaking book ‘Sew Iconic’ to give away to five lucky winners, just for answering an easy peasy question. Sew Iconic is an innovative book that walks the reader through making their own copies of famous dresses from movies. Ten costumes are covered, including Marilyn Monroe’s halterneck from The Seven Year Itch (1959) by William Travilla, Jennifer Grey’s pink cocktail dress by Hilary Rosenfeld from Dirty Dancing (1987), Audrey Hepburn’s Givenchy LBD from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) and Keira Knightley’s cripplingly complex…

‘Do you prefer “fashion victim” or “ensemble-y challenged”?’ Josie Sampson, creator of Film Reel Fashion examines the legacy of Mona May’s costume design for Clueless (1995, directed by Amy Heckerling). When Clueless arrived onto screens in the mid-1990s, it ensured Alicia Silverstone’s Cher Horowitz became an overnight sensation. Teenage girls identified with Cher’s heartbreak and social worries, simultaneously envying her revolving wardrobe and online outfit chooser. Loosely based on the plot of Jane Austen’s Emma, this is a High School film at its finest. Set in sunny Beverly Hills with a free rein of Daddy’s credit card, the fashion is of utmost importance and communal acceptance. These are girls on…