Some official images have surfaced for director Mathew Vaughn’s adaptation of Marvel comic X-Men: First Class. Plot details are still sketchy, but we do know that the story is set at some point during 1960s (mid?) and concentrates on the relationship between young Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr / mutant guise Magneto (Michael Fassbender). Their ‘civvie’ costumes by Sammy Sheldon (Kick-Ass, Stardust) are not excessively sixties in tone, however. Only a handful of details give the film away as not set in the present day, most notably on January Jones as Emma Frost and Kevin Bacon’s ‘Hellfire Club’ leader Sebastian Shaw. A white, belted PVC catsuit channels…

MINOR SPOILERS Movies that feature contemporary fashion, particularly high-end and particularly for women, are a tricky sell costume wise. While men’s semi-formal to formal attire is generally shaped around the fundamental guise of the lounge suit, women’s clothing has a lot more avenues and possibilities. In addition to colour and pattern there is shape and form, which can vary dramatically for the fashionable wearer. What can vary dramatically can also date dramatically and this can be major stumbling block for costume designers. Films centred around the world of fashion, or those that include a lot of fashionable garments such as The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Clueless (1995) and Funny Face……

MINOR SPOILERS At a pivotal juncture during the Fathers & Sons episode of Godless (2017), the camera tracks into a pink ribbon tied on the back of young woman’s hair; a woman who is suffering from the onset symptoms of smallpox and unlikely to find recovery. Later in the episode we pan across dozens of freshly dug but unnamed graves each with it’s own crucifix. We don’t see the woman again, but on one of the crucifixes is tied a pink ribbon. Such is the power of even the slightest costume and accessory details in Godless, the narrative is informed by their very presence. Costume designer for Godless was Betsy…

Where to start with Penny Rose? Pirates of the Caribbean? Evita? King Arthur? Most recently of course 47 Ronin (directed by Carl Rinsch). You do not hire Penny Rose for something small. This is not to say she won’t work on independent and low budget projects, just that her CV is becoming increasingly packed with huge scale period and/or fantasy studio movies – basically the kind of pictures that would make most costume designers weep. Multiples, armour, uniforms, plus Ms. Rose practically always builds from scratch. Not a fan of ‘shopping’ or even slightly interested in fashion, Penny Rose is old-school hands on, no-nonsense and no fear. Nonetheless, there is……

Clothes on Film were lucky enough to get an up close look at the actual costumes from Prince of Persia. Costume Designer Penny Rose had to create 7,000 costumes for the film. She worked out of a massive warehouse with racks and racks of clothes, footwear and belts, dyeing on one side and hand-tooling leather on the other. As an experienced designer, Rose is adept in finding the second life of items such as recycling bedspreads for robes and even carpet for boots. She is widely known and respected for her organisational ability. Using fabrics from around the world including China, Malaysia and, predictably, Morocco, Rose set up her workshop…

American Psycho (2000, costume designer Isis Mussenden) is a late 1980s set film that highlights the importance placed on external appearance and the disparity that can lie between this and the true nature of a person. The ‘Psycho’ of the title, Patrick Bateman (played by Christian Bale) is outwardly flawless. He has an extreme and involved personal beauty regime, consisting of special shampoos, body washes, face masks and scrubs, complemented by a strict diet and exercise plan that he completes daily and without fail. He believes in looking after himself – or at least his external self. Beneath this perfectly glossy exterior is emptiness – a lack of humanity, of……

No, Thor is not a musical. Jacques D’Azur is missing, so take his place. Here are some tips from the flicks on how to succeed that sultan of sophistication. Because the sun is out making us all feel like we’re in Cannes, let’s have a look at some of the coolest movie sunglasses money can buy. Costume designer Janty Yates has taken time out filming Robin Hood to chat about her contribution to an earlier Scott picture – Hannibal.

It should go without saying that costume design for short film is an entirely different beast to features. Apart from the practical implications – generally fewer costumes, less money – any ensemble will surely register more emphatically with an audience. When there is less to look at and less opportunity to do so, we take more in. Everything collects meaning, from style to colour to fabric; carelessness in a 5-10 minute film can detract from, and worse still alter the message of a story. Ashes is a thought provoking and sometimes uncomfortable short written and directed by Sophie Black. Set entirely in one room dressed and re-dressed accordingly with just…

After the tragic loss of Jacques d’Azur, his heir steps unto the breach and thanks to Stella Artois 4% enjoys a one-off lifetime to Cannes. He starts with a shave, ends in the VIP room of a classy nightclub, and does a lot of drinking in-between. We all wondered anxiously who might replace über sophisticated filmmaker Jacques d’Azur. That devilish charm, witty repartee, an immaculate dress sense that made Cary Grant look lazy by comparison. Yet because of their stupendously generous competition, we had nothing to worry about. Stella Artois 4% found him. Watch the video and taste your salty tears as this bemused but clearly ready for it heir…

Academy Award winning costume designer Lindy Hemming has worked on five James Bond films with Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig in the lead role. Who better then to curate an exhibition of 007 style? The most anticipated event of its kind for fans of the Bond aesthetic, gadgets, sets, cars and some unforgettable costumes, this ambitious project has been in the making for nearly a decade. Speaking exclusively to Clothes on Film, Lindy Hemming talks through her involvement with the exhibition and hints at what to expect when it opens next month in London: ‘Having worked for the producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson on five Bond films over eleven…