Costume designer Ann Roth’s template for Working Girl (1988, directed by Mike Nichols) is especially astute with regards to the social and geographical make up of its characters. Protagonist Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) is a homely girl raised and living in Staten Island, New York. Currently working as a secretary in Manhattan (not ‘executive assistant’, reflecting vernacular of the time), as is her best friend Cynthia (Joan Cusack). Tess, however, has gained a degree through night school and harbours ambitions to use it for more constructive tasks than answering the telephone and fetching toilet paper for bawdy stockbrokers. After being set up for a ‘date’ that turned out to be……

The first trailer for mid-1970s set Rush is on-line and Olivia Wilde looks sensational. Lord Christopher Laverty Comments Off on Rush Trailer: Olivia Wilde Looks Sensational in 70’s Costume 23 Nov ’10 10 Oct ’11 3 Apr ’13

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis Directed by: Todd Phillips The Hangover (2009) is hilarious. The Vegas bachelor party gone wrong premise is nothing new, but the story itself progresses so fast and with so many witty one-liners that the crowd of boozy lads this film is clearly aiming at should have a cracking time. Costume (by Louise Mingenbach) plays a big part in The Hangover. The gang: groom Doug (Justin Bartha), best mates Phil (Bradley Cooper) and Stu (Ed Helms), and the groom’s impending brother-in-law Alan (Zach Galifianakis), assemble themselves – suited and booted – for a spectacular night out. The way all guys do. Phil drops his…

A look at late Margaret Thatcher’s colour specific wardrobe as represented in the film The Iron Lady. Costume in The Cabin in the Woods is not grand, but it is very clever. All the teenage characters subtly evolve from one horror stereotype to another. The Phantom of the opera demonstrates that the colour, size and shape of a character’s costumes can communicate on a subliminal level. Costume designer Margot Wilson talks exclusively to Clothes on Film about her impeccable work on Lawless. Doris Day’s last hurrah for 1950s fashion wearing some of the most exquisite costumes ever seen on screen. For a guy who prefers the synthetic appeal of satin…

Gwyneth Paltrow is an external rather than internal actress, meaning she has a sponge like ability to soak up characterisation through dress, make up and hair. She is, first and foremost, how she looks. In playing literary prodigy Margot Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Gwyneth adopted a sultry bohemian vibe (apparently based on sixties fashion model Nico) that she was not then remotely known for in real life. Whatever emotional connection she brought to the part, her performance was defined by her clothes. “As soon as I knew I was wearing the little Lacoste dresses and loafers and a fur coat, I said to myself, okay, I get it.…

How Richard Burton’s character in Villain (1971) dresses to impress and intimidate. Public Enemies demonstrates how costume can actually drive a story narrative.

Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin bring us the twenties reloaded. Catherine Martin chats about The Great Gatsby costumes, design and a lack of nostalgia. We analyse exactly what Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin need to get right for their costume design in The Great Gatsby. The latest and probably last trailer for Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby before its début at Cannes. The press love Prada’s involvement with The Great Gatsby, but exactly how much does this help the film’s costume design? The best kept secret in costume design is finally out: Prada made Carey Mulligan’s gowns for The Great Gatsby. Not the only book you should buy…

Lucinda Wright talks costume in The Suspicions of Mr Whicher: The Murder in Angel Lane. Gena Rowlands’ costumes as Gloria evocate character through a fashionable capsule wardrobe. Proving that frock coats and heavy lace dresses really are terrifying. Lucinda Wright talks to Clothes on Film about her contribution to The Suspicions of Mr Whicher starring Paddy Considine.

A straightforward loosely tied scarf around the handbag and Joan is the most stylish woman in the office. Lord Christopher Laverty Comments Off on Mad Men: Christina Hendricks’ Scarf & Bag Combo (S1) 16 Mar ’11 7 Mar ’11 1 Feb ’10

SPOILERS For anyone with an eye to costume, The Avengers: Infinity War (2018) seemingly takes few evolutionary leaps. This makes perfect sense when we consider the timeline following particularly significant events of Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Black Panther (2017). Infinity War costume designer Judianna Makovsky (previously on board for The Winter Soldier, 2014; Civil War and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, 2016) has crafted a combination of instantly familiar looks for a jam-packed canon of characters where nobody wants to be missed, but nobody should stick out above anyone else either. It’s a real balancing act, which is something we are should sure Thanos himself would appreciate. Judianna……