Watch the trailer HERE The latest in a queue of trailers for Ridley Scott’s version of Robin Hood has arrived. This one shows us more than pain; we get some basic plot too. As based on the 12th century legend, spurred on by the death of his father, Robin of the Hood ( Russell Crowe) is fighting the rampant taxation and oppression of England’s green and pleasant land. This third Scott preview confirms that simple premise, now with more intense dialogue and even intenser stares. Also several clips of Mark Strong on typically ferocious form as Sir Godfrey. He receives a well-aimed arrow in the neck by Hood (guessing this…

Costume design and meaning in short film. Analysis of Shawna Trpcic’s subtle costume signifiers with input from the designer herself. Goldie Hawn’s unforgettable debut in hot pants and mini skirts in Cactus Flower. Oz is here and as far as fantasy costume is concerned, you are in for some surprises. Edith Head’s costume design for Vertigo demonstrates the power of clothes in forming identities on-screen. Mark Bridges exclusively explains his costume choices for retro epic Boogie Nights. As TracyDi Vicenzo in OHMSS, Diana Rigg wore a daring 1960s wedding ensemble. As worn by Grace Kelly, this floaty, conspicuous dress is an appreciable nod to Dior’s ‘New Look’ of the late…

Catch up with the costume gossip you’ve missed. Godzilla “Contemporary in design with a multitude of uniforms”, says costume designer Sharen Davis. We remember chatting to Ms. Davis about her work on Godzilla during an interview for Django Unchained – she was so stoked to be working with director Gareth Edwards. X-Men: Days of Future Past Q&A with ace Louise Mingenbach which we haven’t read because we haven’t seen the movie yet. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom For the film’s 30th birthday an enticing look back at Anthony Powell’s costume design by Tim Pelan for Cinetropolis. Game of Thrones More secrets in the costumes, unless you want to……

American Gigolo (1980, directed by Paul Schrader) is a vapid expression of style without substance that has somehow become an academic’s favourite. Yet to argue the emptiness of the film and its bland protagonist as subtext is to miss the big picture: American Gigolo is not even about its protagonist; it is about what he wears. American Gigolo is about Armani. It was Italian designers who led a revolution in tailoring during the early 1980s, reinventing the male suit by removing hitherto essential padding for a lightweight, almost floppy silhouette. Combined with unusual fabric choices and bold colours, they defined the decade. Giorgio Armani was at the forefront of this…

Beginning in the late 1950s, into the 60’s, predominantly through the mid to late 70’s, then into the early 90’s, costume designer Stephanie Collie’s work for The Look of Love covers several distinct periods. This is the true story of King of Soho billionaire Paul Raymond (Steve Coogan) told via the many women in his life. Helpfully these women confirm to a specific body type which is still relatable as the model ideal today, i.e. very slender or the ‘no-body body’. This means that all the garments on screen look fantastic. They are costumes above all but still relevant as fashion; the 60’s especially still informs contemporary style for women’s…

One point of discussion after watching Lawless not involving violence, morals or hairstyles, has been the simple item of clothing worn by Tom Hardy as Forrest Bondurant. It seems that his rudimentary knitwear has caused head-scratching and amusement for some cinemagoers. Yet there is nothing odd in Forrest’s choice of attire, in fact historically speaking for the early 1930s in rural America it is spot-on accurate, not to mention perfectly in tune with his character; a gruff man, comfortable in his own skin, who cares about as much for fashion as he does money. This contrast between the man and his clothing provides an ironic twist. The knitted cardigan is…

For those of you lucky enough to live in LA, literally racks of costumes have just on display at The FIDM Museum.

The full trailer for HBO’s Boardwalk Empire arrives. Period costume fans, set your jaw to dropped. Lord Christopher Laverty 4 Comments 4 Apr ’13 9 May ’09 5 May ’10

Somewhat misleading as nowhere is this photo officially tagged as being ‘Catwoman’; officially this is our first shot of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle in The Dark Knight Rises, on a Bat(cat?)pod, wearing what appears to be a proto-Catwoman costume. The suit, as designed by Lindy Hemming, seems to be a one or two piece, with separate wedge sole boots and past the elbow gloves, constructed of some kind of dimpled, rubberised neoprene – certainly not leather. It looks functional, perhaps with the intention of being waterproof or insulated against cold. The headgear is pure function too, we assume. Externally at least resembling a type of LED or night vision…

By no means intended as an exhaustive list, Clothes on Film ponder an overview of 2011 in costume. If there is a more joyous film this year, we haven’t seen it. Clothes on Film talk exclusively to costume designer of The Artist, Mark Bridges.