Art of Rosemary's Baby | Clothes on Film

Artist Cathy Lomax has recreated several images from Rosemary’s Baby (1968), analysing the movie via costumes worn by its titular central character (played by Mia Farrow). They form a detailed and elegant companion piece; something Clothes on Film thought you should know about.

Lomax actually painted all 56 changes Rosemary undertakes during the story, as designed by Anthea Sylbert, each with a mini description breaking down the outfit’s composition. She directs attention to Mia Farrow’s slight frame and how the deliberately shapeless costumes serve to heighten Rosemary’s fragility and homeliness. Check out the examples below, all oil on canvas:

Rosemary Woodhouse’s Wardrobe, Outfit 3: Yellow floral print, sleeveless swing dress. (Moving into the apartment)

Rosemary Woodhouse’s Wardrobe, Outfit 13 #1: Dark blue with red and white floral print, above knee dress with long sleeves and Peter Pan collar and black Mary Jane shoes. (In the bedroom after having dinner at the Castevets’)

Rosemary Woodhouse’s Wardrobe, Outfit 21: Short white towelling dressing gown and big fluffy blue slippers. (In kitchen the morning after being raped by the devil)

Rosemary Woodhouse’s Wardrobe, Outfit 1: Off white, short sleeved, above knee cotton/polyester mix dress with matching court shoes and handbag (First visit to apartment)

Rosemary Woodhouse’s Wardrobe, Outfit 32: Blue quilted nylon dressing gown with tiny white dots, white lace trim around cuffs and collar and satin bow at neckline. (In the apartment, feeling ill)

Rosemary Woodhouse’s Wardrobe, Outfit 38: Taupe, linen, sleeveless dress with racer back and back zip. (Castevets’ New Year’s party)

In her reoccurring series ‘Film Diary’, Lomax makes a painting of what she considers to be, for her, a pivotal scene in a movie along with a straightforward line of text clarifying the moment. These form a snapshot artistic record of the film and its costumes:

For more information about Cathy Lomax, follow THIS LINK to her fanzine – such an interesting approach, using art to read and enlighten film.

All artwork and descriptions by Cathy Lomax.