Twenty-five years ago, costume designer Margot Wilson was a student living in Paris when she picked up a roll of red, moire silk fabric during a shopping trip to Milan. She didn’t know why, or what for; she wasn’t even a costume designer then, just a talented young fashion grad from East Sydney Tech on a six-month scholarship to France. When it was time to go home, she took the beautiful roll of fabric back down under with her. Fast forward three decades and a couple of dozen films later (including Lantana, Bran Nue Dae and Lawless), and Wilson has finally found a screen role for her magnificent weave –……

La Femme Nikita (1990, directed by Luc Besson) is a neon action thriller; a very silly, very enjoyable movie concerning an ex-junkie put to work as a French government sleeper assassin. Backed by an industrial electro pop score, sound and visuals converge alongside the protagonist’s cool couture – specifically a little black dress that re-defines the use of such a garment on film. As of its time as Laserdiscs and virtual reality, La Femme Nikita is about transformation by fashion – similar in subtext to Pretty Woman, that enduringly fluffy romantic fairytale also released the same year. Where as Julia Roberts’ heroine Vivian abandons the world of prostitution to become,…

A new trailer for Daniel Radcliffe’s Guns Akimbo has arrived and it’s hilarious. Lord Christopher Laverty Comments Off on Guns Akimbo Trailer Hits: Daniel Radcliffe is Deadly Cousin Eddie 22 Jun ’12 2 Nov ’10 5 Oct ’10

Gripping and meticulously structured. Held together by yet another screen bursting performance from Kathy Bates. Lord Christopher Laverty 1 Comment 29 Nov ’19 16 Nov ’12 26 Oct ’10

The teaser trailer for James Bond’s 23rd cinematic outing Skyfall hits and, as you might expect, raises anticipation levels to the stratosphere. From a clothes perspective there are no great reveals here; little more than the drip feed of Tom Ford suit shots we have been fed so far. Costume designer for Skyfall, Jany Temime, is new to the world of Bond but appears to be keeping things traditional. Seeing 007 in a tracksuit is not too devastating (he is jogging), lounge suits are slim and sober harking back to Sean Connery’s reign, there is a tux, and if anyone can wear a ¾ length black overcoat – also see…

Shocking, but not really considering all the legal wrangling going on recently, Bond 23 has been shelved “indefinitely”.

All the recurring themes in Desperately Seeking Susan are linked to one jacket. Contributor 2 Comments 5 Apr ’13 9 Sep ’11 25 Dec ’09

MINOR SPOILERS At a pivotal juncture during the Fathers & Sons episode of Godless (2017), the camera tracks into a pink ribbon tied on the back of young woman’s hair; a woman who is suffering from the onset symptoms of smallpox and unlikely to find recovery. Later in the episode we pan across dozens of freshly dug but unnamed graves each with it’s own crucifix. We don’t see the woman again, but on one of the crucifixes is tied a pink ribbon. Such is the power of even the slightest costume and accessory details in Godless, the narrative is informed by their very presence. Costume designer for Godless was Betsy…

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……

Director Brian Helgeland’s Legend (2015) tells the based-on true story of Ronald and Reggie Kray: twins (both played by Tom Hardy), East End boys, racketeers, murderers, icons. The Krays were shaped during the 1960s, a post World War II boom for England. They came to symbolise the smartly dressed gangster for a new youth-orientated generation. They had money and they wanted to flaunt it – and that meant suits and a lot of jewellery. Costume designer for Legend, Caroline Harris, boasting over 20 years experience in both film and television with credits such as Mr Nice (2010), Red Riding (2009) and Fleming (2014), here chats exclusively to Clothes on Film……