Costume designer Michael Kaplan took time away from Star Trek 2 to chat exclusively to Clothes on Film about Ghost Protocol. Lord Christopher Laverty 32 Comments 15 Jul ’10 27 Feb ’12 17 Jun ’11

It was a busy week in costume. “Fashion victim” or “ensemble-y challenged”. Examining the legacy of Mona May’s costume design for Clueless. For those of you lucky enough to live in LA, literally racks of costumes have just on display at The FIDM Museum. Did you know that Calvin Klein has re-released the white dress that Alicia Silverstone made famous in Clueless? Yes, you probably did.

The proposed ethos behind Tron Legacy merchandising is more than just product; it’s a lifestyle choice. Costume designer for The Hangover, Louise Mingenbach, has answered more questions about who wears what in the movie.

The first trailer for Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows starring Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace and Jared Harris has hit the net. It seems on track with the first film; lots of action and banter, only this time grimy London has been replaced by snowy Europe. Jenny Beavan returns for costume design; the look is late Victorian with a twist. A few interesting sartorial notes pop up, mainly attributable to ever dapper Dr. John Watson (Law), though we are given a glimpse of Sherlock Holmes’ (Downey Jr.) nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Harris). New love interest Sim (Rapace) only really gets to showcase a wide brim hat, fringed bodice…

Like it or not awards season has arrived and predictably for costume design that means little surprises with regards to nominations. BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) have just announced their line-up for 2013. While all the choices are worthy, one especially, collectively they demonstrate a misunderstanding of exactly what costume design is and what it brings to film. Period, fantasy and spectacle are still applauded above all facets, and even though this is part of costume design it should never be the overriding factor in determining the very best of costume design. Costume serves narrative and whichever film released in 2012 has achieved that most successfully deserves…

The latest book by fashion historian, and now TV presenter Amber Butchart (A Stitch in Time on BBC 4 – second season please), is a comprehensively researched stroll through the best dressed folk ever to exist on the planet. The Fashion Chronicles: The Style Stories of History’s Best Dressed is laid out to be effortlessly readable, split into sections ranging from Ancient (and we mean ancient; basically like the first clothes ever) to 20th and 21st Century. Each entry gets a couple of pages of engaging historical notes and background justifying their inclusion along with a photo / picture or two. It works; it doesn’t feel like study or revision,……

The period is swinging, but the trailer is classy. Some official images have surfaced for X-Men: First Class. The sixties costumes vibe is not excessive, however. Hit-Girl owns this film like she would own your ass if you ever stepped to her. Here are some new character posters for Kick-Ass. Peppy costume design by Sammy Sheldon.

On 10th November, Julien’s presided over the sale of 800+ lots for their ‘Hollywood Icons and Idols’ auction, featuring movie costumes, props and assorted memorabilia. The auction’s big draw was a (not ‘the’; there were several) blue and white cotton gingham pinafore dress and original blouse worn by Judy Garland as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. It exceeded lowest expectations selling for $480,000, perhaps not as much as hoped for bearing in mind it is such a well loved costume – top estimate was $600,000. Much of the bidding went this way, certainly high and above estimates, but nowhere near the record amounts seen at the Debbie Reynolds auction…

Watch the first trailer for Tim Burton’s Dark Shadows and burst with costume excitement. Less a costume movie and more a fashion one, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is typical of its naughty director Russ Meyer in all the best ways. Attesting that upbeat and silly often go hand in hand, Beetle Juice stands as one of director Tim Burton’s most cheerfully insane projects.

Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick brings Liberace back to life on stage and off. By no means intended as an exhaustive list, Clothes on Film ponder an overview of 2011 in costume. An exhibition of British costume design from films such as The King’s Speech and Pirates of the Caribbean opens at the Fashion Museum in July. Sherlock Holmes 2 costume designer Jenny Beavan chats exclusively to Clothes on Film about what to expect in the finished film. Costume designer Amy Westcott has finally been rewarded for her work on Black Swan with a CDG Award. For those of you lucky enough to live in LA, literally racks of costumes have…