While science-fiction and period costume can sell to collectors at auction for tens of thousands of dollars, the future of contemporary costume from the contemporary drama, comedy and thriller genres is unclear. Costumes from films set in the modern age are not valued as highly. Sourced from costume houses, high-street stores, and even actor’s own wardrobes, these pieces could be lost for good for future generations of collectors and fans if current mentality doesn’t change. Contemporary costume, even from popular movies, is surprisingly hard to trace. What has happened to George Clooney’s Aloha shirts from The Descendants? The film’s costume designer Wendy Chuck isn’t sure. “I have no idea where…

SPOILERS THROUGHOUT Having recently finished a six week, six episode run on the BBC, John le Carré adapted spy drama The Little Drummer Girl was divisive in terms of audience reaction. Some found the plot impossible to follow, others revelled in the cloak and dagger shenanigans of twenty-something Charmain ‘Charlie’ Ross (Florence Pugh), a low level actress drawn into a high stakes mission of infiltrating a Palestinian revolutionary group in 1979. The show’s costume design by Sheena Napier and Stephen Noble inspired equal division. While most enjoyed the eye-popping period ensembles and how they exemplified character, just as many were left confounded by their conspicuous presence. One thing that cannot……

Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo Directed By: Joss Whedon A worrying trend has emerged with heavily hyped, big budget movies: to proclaim them either genius or turkey. Gone is the middle ground. While Avengers Assemble may be far removed from turkey, it is not genius; it is a witty, well-acted sci-fi adventure bolstered by a great deal of novelty factor. The near impossible task of cramming six unique comic book personalities into a coherent narrative is made to look easy by director/co-writer Joss Whedon. Everyone gets a role to play. Captain America (Chris Evans – really into the part now) takes command, Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.)…

This looks fun, like a Ray Harryhausen Sinbad movie crossed with Game of Thrones. Starring Jeff Bridges, Julianne Moore and Ben Barnes, Seventh Son is a supernatural fantasy about an ancient evil rising up to annihilate mankind. Filthy looking costume design by Jacqueline West (Argo). A couple of things stand out: firstly that Moore’s character Mother Malkin (wonderful name) appears to be rocking a feathered cape inspired by Snow White and the Huntsman and secondly, ruffs are making a comeback. The trailer is dark so it’s difficult to make out finer details, but it appears West is keeping costume grizzly and medieval without going cutting crazy. It’s either your cup…

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…

On the eve of Boardwalk Empire: Season 2 commencing at HBO, we have had a chat with the show’s costume designers, Emmy nominated John Dunn and Lisa Padovani about what is in store for dandy gangster Nucky Thompson, sourcing vintage dresses and upcoming trends of the 1920s. Clothes on Film, Chris: What do you have planned for Boardwalk Empire Season 2? John Dunn: In Season 2 we will be continuing to explore the decade as our characters and their pasts are further revealed. We are also introducing some of the new currents in fashion as the 20’s begin to unfold and our characters’ situations shift. The big trends of the…

MINOR SPOILERS Like any film with an extended period of time between the original and sequel(s), T2: Trainspotting (2017) is required to form an immediate connection with its audience. Twenty years have passed, yet we must feel accustomed to this world. For every element of change, something else must remain the same. We take comfort in what we know; it allows us to enjoy the new without fear of the unknown. If T2 had been released a couple of years after Trainspotting (1996), it could potentially have been set in Benidorm. Transplanting our anti-heroes from Scotland to Spain is fine when they are fresh in our conscious mind, but twenty…

Or when your costumes look like a building. Odile Dicks-Mireaux’s designs for High Rise (2016) are far more than that. But for a film set in such a heavily stylised world, especially one created by sci-fi author J.G. Ballard, homogeny is everything. In fact homogeny is terrifying. Everything is reflected in the aesthetic. The building towers, Tom Hiddleston’s trouser legs tower, and Luke Evans towers over everyone.  Director Ben Wheatley has claimed that he did not want High Rise to look like a ‘greatest hits of the seventies‘, but really that’s exactly what he’s got, certainly in terms of costume design – and that’s okay. It might not be the……

The last TWO weeks in costume. Sorry, we were a bit busy. Paul Walker Costume designer Kristin M. Burke worked with Paul Walker on Running Scared. Here she shares a few personal memories of the man and the professional. Hollywood Costume The New York Times reviews the book we wrote a chapter for. Perfect for Christmas, or anyone inconsiderate enough to have a birthday around this time of year. Deborah Nadoolman Landis DNL presents a new show on TCM looking at memorable costume design. Twenty films covered in total every Friday night at 8 pm through December. American telly only though. Boo-erns. American Hustle So excited about this movie we…

Michael Kaplan gives Clothes on Film the lowdown on his Star Trek Into Darkness costumes. Lord Christopher Laverty Comments Off on Costume Designer Michael Kaplan on Star Trek Into Darkness 9 Mar ’13 4 May ’18 26 Nov ’10