19th century | Clothes on Film

Daphne du Maurier‘s original novel My Cousin Rachel apparently does not specify the exact period in which it’s set, but implies some time toward the end of the 19th century on the Cornish coast. This new version of the story starring Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin actually positions itself in a specific time frame, as decided upon by director Roger Michell and costume designer Dinah Collin, namely the year 1840. We have an exclusive featurette about the costume design of My Cousin Rachel, which although brief goes into some detail about what to expect from the finished film: What is most fascinating is just why 1840 was chosen. It was…

We may have to eat our words, but as it stands 12 Years a Slave is unlikely to win the Best Costume Design Oscar. It does tick some of the necessary boxes: it’s period (mid 19th century), features both crinolines and cravats, and is part of the popular ballot. Yet being as the protagonist spends most of his time in just an increasingly distressed tunic shirt, the Academy may just feel costume designer Patricia Norris has really not worked hard enough. Flippancy toward the Academy aside, 12 Years a Slave remains a wonderfully rich costume experience. Every fibre leaps off the screen with detail and feeling. The cool weave of…

Costume designer Jacqueline Durran discusses her unusual approach for Anna Karenina – 1870s Russia via 1950s couture.

French costume designer Anaïs Romand discusses her work on House of Tolerance (L’Apollonide: Souvenirs de la maison close).

Banana Republic have teamed up with Anna Karenina costume designer Jacqueline Durran to create an exclusive collection inspired by the upcoming movie.

With so many movie streaming options now available, we thought we’d draw your attention to one of the best: Curzon on Demand.

Judianna Makovsky’s costume design provides an intentional method of understanding The Hunger Games’ politics.

Watching Jane Eyre on location makes for an enriching experience.

A snapshot look at the costume design work of Mary Zophres for True Grit. Well worth a watch.