David Lynch has premiered his twelve minute commercial for Lady Dior and it is every bit as ‘Lynch’ as you might expect.

As is often the way with costume designers, Stephanie Collie is something of an unsung hero. We will not reel off her entire back catalogue, but it does include South Riding (2011, TV), Telstar (2008) Peter’s Friends (1992) and perhaps most exciting of all, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998). Now, anyone old enough to remember when Lock, Stock arrived will remember just what an incredible influence its Mod inspired costumes had on the world of fashion. You could not pick up a men’s magazine of the time without seeing some guy in slim trousers and a jersey polo shirt. Stephanie Collie invented this look, thus providing one of……

As preface to this week’s Dual Analysis of The Young Victoria with Maggie from The Costumer’s Guide, here is a little chat we had about the clothes, hair, jewellery, even underwear from the movie. Chris, Clothes on Film: So, what did you think of the The Young Victoria? My opinions changed slightly from at the cinema. I liked it more actually. Maggie, The Costumer’s Guide: I loved it when I saw it in the theatre – it almost felt too short, it went by so quickly. Watching it again last night I enjoyed it just as much! I actually have very few complaints, except for Albert getting shot, which of…

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 local cinema. The strength of this friendship is only surpassed in intensity by the boy’s deep desire to become a part of the world of movie making. This is a story not about the medium of film in itself, but about the real people whose lives are illuminated by the stories it relates. As a tale primarily of ordinary Roma people, the costumes in Cinema Paradiso, as designed by Beatrice Bordone, help create a 1940s/50’s period…

Costume designer Mark Bridges described There Will Be Blood (2007) as his most challenging film, referring to the difficulties he faced in transporting costumes to the remote location in West Texas, after director Paul Thomas Anderson called for a new concept three days before a re-shoot. However these challenges seem to channel the themes of the film itself: hardship, isolation, and the determination to overcome any obstacle to fulfil a goal. Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a turn-of-the-century prospector, who receives a tip about a giant oil deposit under a family farm in California. The family includes Eli Sunday, a zealous preacher and faith healer who wants the money from…

Starring: Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston Directed by: Roman Polanski This bleak detective noir follows luxuriously suited P.I. or ‘snoop’ J.J. ‘Jake’ Gittes (Jack Nicolson) as he investigates corrupt water rights and Evelyn Mulwray’s (Faye Dunaway) dark family secrets in 1930s Los Angeles. It’s an exquisite piece, based on Robert Towne’s technically flawless screenplay and directed with knowing panache by Roman Polanski. Note how Gittes appears in every single scene, a difficult cinematic device akin to the novels of Raymond Chandler from which the film draws heavy inspiration. Towne and Polanski may have quarrelled over the ending, but their creative synergy is undeniable. Anthea Sylbert’s costume design remains memorable…

There is not man behind the mask; the mask is The Lone Ranger. Costume design and meaning in short film. The Phantom of the opera demonstrates that the colour, size and shape of a character’s costumes can communicate on a subliminal level. Armour and indecisiveness: Audrey Hepburn is more than a little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Christmas comes early for anyone looking forward to The Dark Knight Rises, as Warner Bros. has just released a full trailer. First and second look actually. And now a title too.

MINOR SPOILERS For all the inevitable chrysalis transformation of singer Ally (Lady Gaga) during A Star is Born (2018, directed by Bradley Cooper), the most subtle, yet real sartorial reflection of character belongs to her mentor and lover Jack (Cooper). Costumed by Erin Benach (Drive, A Place Beyond the Pines), Jack is the epitome of the casual rock star. Stage wear, day wear, evening wear, drinking wear, sleeping wear – it’s all the same. His simple clothes mask a mind so damaged it can only be subdued with the bottle. Jack lives in t-shirts (plain, dark or neutral colours), untucked shirts (dark or a green graph-check), brown calf leather jacket,……

MILD SPOILERS Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) is far and away the most ‘A New Hope-like’ film in the series yet. In terms of tone, sure, but particularly costume. What costume designers Glyn Dillon and David Crossman have so expertly achieved with Solo is making a contemporary looking movie set during the late 1960s. Star Wars: A New Hope was released in 1977 which puts Solo’s timeline around a decade before, or likely just over. But hang on, isn’t this a science fiction movie? What does when it’s made have to do with the space opera world being brought to life on screen? Well the seventies in particular was……

Starring: Warner Baxter, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell Directed by: Lloyd Bacon This is a deliciously funny musical. It’s racy and light years ahead of its time; a power play of sexual politics set in the heightened blood, sweat and tears world of professional theatre. Shot during America’s Great Depression, 42nd Street (1933) follows the culmination of tired Broadway director Julian Marsh’s (Warner Baxter) production of ‘Pretty Lady’. The machinations of the chorus girls and randy male dancers form a background to Peggy Sawyer’s (Ruby Keeler) story; her ascent from newbie performer to replacing Pretty Lady’s injured lead Dorothy Brock (Bebe Daniels) on opening night. It’s revealing nothing to say Sawyer…