Christopher Laverty photographed by David Wade at Photak. My name is Christopher Laverty and along with some eager contributors (see below), I write and edit all of the content for Clothes on Film. In October of 2016, my first book about costume design was published by Laurence King called Fashion in Film. It’s a rich, beautifully illustrated look at the work of fashion designers in the world of movie costume, including such names as Prada (The Great Gatsby), Giorgio Armani (American Gigolo), Diane von Furstenberg (Taxi Driver), plus many others. It was a culmination of several years hard work and as my first book will always remain close to my…

MILD SPOILERS Director Ben Wheatley’s latest, Free Fire, is set in Boston, 1978, but was actually shot in Brighton in 2015. Being as the plot revolves around ten characters involved in a one hour plus shoot-out inside a disused factory, from a sartorial point of view things get rather grubby. The film’s BAFTA nominated costume designer Emma Fryer has already worked with Wheatley on The ABCs of Death (2012) and A Field in England (2013) so is used to the way his stories tend to go bananas in the final reel. Free Fire unfolds practically in real time, which amps up the tension but allows for no mistake with costume.…

Sharply tailored, violent, sexy and all-round immaculate HBO drama Boardwalk Empire hits British screens for the first time on 1st February (Sky Atlantic). For those who have not already seen the show, what will undoubtedly strike first is, thanks to costume designer John Dunn and tailor Martin Greenfield, just how beautifully turned out all the gentlemen in 1920’s set Atlantic City were. This is a time when being a real man meant wearing a deep red carnation on one’s jacket lapel and stiff collars to rival a neck brace. Ruler of Boardwalk Empire is Atlantic County treasurer Nucky Thompson (Steve Buscemi), a former policeman turned corrupt politician running an alcohol…

This emerald green dress from Atonement (2007) could be the most famous item of clothing on film in the last decade. In fact, rather surprisingly, it was recently voted ‘Best Costume of All Time‘ by Sky Movies and readers of In Style; surprising because, despite its multifaceted beauty, there are many other magnificent costumes out there more deserving of the title. Nonetheless this long, slinky evening gown from a mini-epic set predominately during the mid-1930s to early 40s is an extraordinary achievement. It is not only a work of art to look at; it also precisely informs the narrative. Costume designer Jacqueline Durran created the dress from scratch. Her intention…

Gwyneth Paltrow is an external rather than internal actress, meaning she has a sponge like ability to soak up characterisation through dress, make up and hair. She is, first and foremost, how she looks. In playing literary prodigy Margot Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), Gwyneth adopted a sultry bohemian vibe (apparently based on sixties fashion model Nico) that she was not then remotely known for in real life. Whatever emotional connection she brought to the part, her performance was defined by her clothes. “As soon as I knew I was wearing the little Lacoste dresses and loafers and a fur coat, I said to myself, okay, I get it.…

Here is an extract from an enlightening interview with Ann Roth, costume designer of Working Girl (1988), The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) and now 1930s set TV drama Mildred Pierce starring Kate Winslet. Read the full interview over at Harper’s Bazaar to learn why costume design is definitely NOT fashion design. Interestingly, Ann Roth touches upon a similar point made by The Tudors’ costume designer Joan Bergin in our exclusive interview. Bergin explains that, like Roth, she creates for characters, not catwalk. This is a common misconception of the costume designer’s role. Sometimes there is overlap, intentional or not, but costumes are intended to serve the narrative; any allusion to…

The first full trailer for Captain America: The First Avenger has bish bash boshed onto the internet. Look at how tiny Chris Evans as Steve Rogers is! There isn’t much new to see costume wise that has not already been revealed in papped set photographs. Mostly U.S. Army uniforms with overseas hats and other quiet 1940s period touches, such as khakis, 3pc suits, leather flight jackets and fire engine red lipstick on Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Costume design is a joint effort between Inception’s Jeffrey Kurland and twice Oscar nominated Anna B. Sheppard. It certainly looks exciting enough, but then again virtually all trailers for big budget comic book adaptations…

A quiet week for costume. Game of Thrones New costume and props exhibition to travel around the world. No dribbling over the embroidery, but you can sit on the Iron Throne. …and check out Daenerys’ ‘hot new dress’ in this video featurette at The Mary Sue. Avengers: Age of Ultron Another day, another superhero story. Possibly a few early clues about freshly cast Paul Pettany’s costume. Silent Witness We’ve just stumbled across this article, probably from the early 2000s, that neatly demonstrates what costume designers have to put up with when stars of popular drama series’ overindulge. The 22nd Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition Actual costumes from…

Quentin Tarantino has directed films that feature some of the most iconic costumes of the last twenty years, e.g. Reservoir Dogs’ black suits (Betsy Heimann), Mia Wallace’s trouser suit (Heimann), the Kill Bill tracksuit (Kumiko Ogawa, Catherine Marie Thomas). Yet no Tarantino movie has ever won or even been nominated for a Costume Design Oscar; a travesty that may boil down to his stories often being contemporary, not period. World War II set Inglourious Basterds (Anna B. Sheppard) was an exception, but again, amazingly, not even a nomination. Django Unchained, costumed by Sharen Davis, might just buck this trend. It is period so immediately stands in good stead. Secondly, judging…

Her Costume designer Casey Storm on creating a “warm and cosy and soothing” future. David Chronenberg: Evolution For WORN, Haley Mlotek examines the costumes on display at the Chronenberg exhibition, most of which are by the director’s sister, Denise. Unfortunately ‘Evolution’ closes on 19th January. Oscar Nominations Nathalie Atkinson on why the Best Costume Design category has basically become ‘Best Taffeta in a Leading Role’. Nailed it. And HERE she casts an eye over the equally baffling CDGA’s. African Dandies The new Guinness ad draws attention to some colourfully dressed gentlemen we really should be seeing a lot more of by now. Carol Ramsey Costume designer of Horrible Bosses and…