Sandy Powell | Clothes on Film

The first full-length trailer for Disney’s new live-action adaptation of Cinderella was this week and featured tantalising glimpses of what promises to be a visually gorgeous film. The costumes, designed by three time Academy Award winner Sandy Powell, appear to be absolutely stunning. With a clever mix of the eighteenth century, the 1830s, and a little 1950s couture thrown in for good measure (Powell has been quoted as saying she was aiming for the look of “a nineteenth-century period film made in the 1940s or ’50s”), Powell has created another jewel to add to her already over-bling crown. Here is a quick rundown of some of the looks we’ve been…

Two weeks of costume stories. Sheena Napier DTSFT cover this prolific costume designer’s chat at the V&A. And if you’ve not heard of Ms Napier we’ll just say: Backbeat, Poirot, Enchanted April. Sandy Powell Nice rundown of Ms. Powell’s Young Victoria event at the Getty Center. Lauren Fonville guest posts for Frocktalk. Wendy Benstead The costumer for stage and screen talks to Guise about her career so far, from sewing on her old Bernina to dressing Paloma Faith. We’ve met Wendy and she’s lovely. Debbie Reynolds Auction The Finale. Still time to sell your car, house, spouse. 14 Worst Movie Trainers Actually like most of these. Captain America: The Winter…

Two weeks of juicy costume links. Sandy Powell A costumer who needs no introduction. This Sunday at the J. Paul Getty Museum she discusses the use of period photographs in her process. Puttin’ on the Glitz Tyranny of Style contributor Sophia Shillito recaps the British Library’s night of jazz, costume, gangsters, fashion and cocktails. Costume Test Photographs Costume tests for famous movies! Vera Miles as Madeleine! Vikings Joan Bergin talks Vikings season 2 addressing why the show hasn’t received any costume noms. It’s not very good, which may be factor, though that has nothing to do with the costumes. Saddle Shoes Lots and lots of saddle shoes, from Twin Peaks…

Marina Roberti is the costume designer of the Italian box office hit Sole a Catinelle. She has worked in the US with the likes of Milena Canonero, Sandy Powell and Dante Ferretti… How did you become a costume designer? When I was a kid I was a bumbler at school. I spent all the time drawing and reading. My parents were kind of worried so they decided to enroll me at a fashion college in Turin, my home town. During my last school year they took us to Rome to visit the National Film School. Next year I decided to try and join the school. I thought I could never…

There is a problem with the costumes in The Wolf of Wall Street, and it has nothing to do with the film itself but the coverage they have received. Namely, that this coverage is incorrect. Articles such as this one for Vogue France, or this for The Hollywood Reporter, or a ‘suit guide’ by Esquire, concentrate almost solely on Giorgio Armani’s contribution to the project with barely a mention of costume designer Sandy Powell. And this is the Sandy Powell by the way: 10 Oscar nominations and so well respected she has an OBE for services to the industry. It was Powell who costumed The Wolf of Wall Street, not…

From Chris Laverty’s regular column ‘Fabric of Cinema’ for Arts Illustrated magazine, here is an abridged version of the most recently published essay ‘A Migration of Talent’. The current issue of Arts Illustrated focuses on those that have moved across geographical boundaries to expand the scope of their work. It has long been the norm for costume designers from the UK to relocate, not necessarily permanently, to Hollywood. Their careers have been forged by the demands of the business they compete in. But what would have happened if, say, Sandy Powell (Shakespeare in Love), or Joanna Johnston (Who Framed Roger Rabbit) had never worked beyond these shores? How would their…

Happy New Year everyone! Life Without Zoe, The Canyons Two well researched and well written posts by Superqueen. This site is always worth a scoot around. 12 Years a Slave Costume Designer Patricia Norris is 82 years young. Cancel your retirement. The Most Iconic Costumes of all Time Marilyn’s dress in The Seven Year Itch? No, frankly. Ellen Mirojnick The Costume Cafe podcast with a lady we adore here at Clothes on Film. Inside Llewyn Davis Frocktalk reviews the extraordinary ‘sweaterville’ work of Mary Zophres for the Coens’ latest. Michael Wilkinson For Guise magazine, Joe Kucharski chats to Michael Wilkinson about digital illustration in costume design. Big Screen Style Moments…

The last TWO weeks in costume. Sorry, we were a bit busy. Paul Walker Costume designer Kristin M. Burke worked with Paul Walker on Running Scared. Here she shares a few personal memories of the man and the professional. Hollywood Costume The New York Times reviews the book we wrote a chapter for. Perfect for Christmas, or anyone inconsiderate enough to have a birthday around this time of year. Deborah Nadoolman Landis DNL presents a new show on TCM looking at memorable costume design. Twenty films covered in total every Friday night at 8 pm through December. American telly only though. Boo-erns. American Hustle So excited about this movie we…

What have you missed costume wise this week? Well…. Sandy Powell In conversation with Kinvara Balfour at the Regent Street Apple Store, 18th November. Scandal Lyn Paolo has no intention of becoming a fashion designer. Sleepy Hollow We’re a bit behind with this now but looking forward to a marathon catch up. Here series costume designer Kristin M. Burke answers fan questions posed on Twitter. Bad Grandpa Kristin Burke chats to costume designer Lindsey Kear about working without a script. The Great Gatsby Catherine Martin was initially worried the film would look like “a flapper themed 21st birthday party”. Thor: The Dark World Spoilers abound, but if you’ve seen the…

The Wolf of Wall Street trailer brings wide pinstripe suits and revolting ties.

A rundown of why Hollywood Costume at the V&A is the best event you will see all year.

The votes have been counted, the prizes dished out…