It may not warrant scholarly interest, but National Treasure 2 is an enjoyable enough adventure, with globetrotting locations, a zippy script and trendy Diane Kruger, back again to show how contemporary fashion with a plot is far more fun than a flick through Vogue. After creating an eye-catching (and cleverly ironic) ball gown for Diane Kruger as Abigail Chase in the original film, Judianna Makovsky returned to design for sequel National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets (2007, directed Jon Turteltaub). Most of the principal cast returned too, including Nicolas Cage as treasure hunter Ben Gates. Although, again, it is Diane Kruger who draws most of our attention. National Treasure 2…

Starring: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Jeremy Renner Directed By: Brad Bird Ghost Protocol surges close to the complex spy shenanigans and intricate set pieces of the original film but comes up frustratingly short overall. Yet, even if this feels less a complete story and more an extended episode of television, it is still enjoyably daft fare with enough sci-fi tech and desirable clobber to keep you cooing until the credits. Even with Tom Cruise’s star draw as agent Ethan Hunt, the Mission: Impossible movies have always been about the team. Mainly because Ethan is not nearly as interesting a spy as James Bond or Jason Bourne, a point reflected by…

Ghostbusters (1984) is perhaps best known as the first ever big budget FX comedy and not for making any serious style statements. Yet tucked amongst the fluffy hair and khaki jump-suits sported by the Ghostbusters themselves is a classic example of mid-1980s opulence – Sigourney Weaver’s oversized cape coat: Full-length cape coat in blue wool with horizontal and intersecting vertical maroon stripes. Wide three-quarter length sleeves, stand collar, big button fastening. Matching cape running to three-quarter point at the rear. All contemporary women’s wear descended from male clothing, and nearly all male clothing descended from military dress. Sigourney Weaver’s cape coat is no exception. Based on a 19th century Garrick…

For those of you lucky enough to live in LA or rich enough to buy a ticket and hop over some time before 30th April, literally racks of costumes have just gone on display at The FIDM Museum, including Mary Zophres’ Oscar nominated ensembles for True Grit. Taxi! This annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibition, now in its 19th year, features costumes from 20 films of 2010, including Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb’s leather jacket and cargo slacks from Inception (designed by Jeffrey Kurland), Jake Gyllenhaal as Dastan’s body armour in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (Penny Rose), Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko’s ‘shark suit’ from Wall…

After that surprising snub by the Academy (not even a nomination) and BAFTA, Black Swan costume designer Amy Westcott has finally been rewarded, with a Costume Designers Guild (CDG) Award for Excellence in Contemporary Film. This was a tough category, too. Jeffrey Kurland has hardly been mentioned, apart from by the public, regarding his almost entirely bespoke costumes for Inception. Have the Guild responded to the recent, very public controversy between Westcott and Black Swan contributors Kate and Laura Mulleavy, i.e. Rodarte? Perhaps, yes, and we would not begin to suggest this is a bad thing either. Moreover the effectiveness of the CDG lies in their broad distinction between genres,…

Right, sit comfortably with a cocktail (we encourage that here) because this is an excellent competition with an excellent prize: we have five copies of Liz Gregory’s new movie dressmaking book ‘Sew Iconic’ to give away to five lucky winners, just for answering an easy peasy question. Sew Iconic is an innovative book that walks the reader through making their own copies of famous dresses from movies. Ten costumes are covered, including Marilyn Monroe’s halterneck from The Seven Year Itch (1959) by William Travilla, Jennifer Grey’s pink cocktail dress by Hilary Rosenfeld from Dirty Dancing (1987), Audrey Hepburn’s Givenchy LBD from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) and Keira Knightley’s cripplingly complex…

Since 19th July, The London Film Museum has been running an exhibition of props and costumes from 20th Century Fox movies to celebrate the studio’s 75th anniversary. Clothes on Film decided to make a visit, a bit late in the day, but we had a good look round anyway. There were not that many costumes in the Fox exhibition (certainly considering the history of the studio), but the museum itself has plenty more to see. Just to be in the same room as some of these memorable outfits is a thrill, especially from more recent movies where memories are fresh. With this is mind, here is our pick of Fox’s…

Starring: Tom Cruise, Paula Patton, Jeremy Renner Directed By: Brad Bird Ghost Protocol surges close to the complex spy shenanigans and intricate set pieces of the original film but comes up frustratingly short overall. Yet, even if this feels less a complete story and more an extended episode of television, it is still enjoyably daft fare with enough sci-fi tech and desirable clobber to keep you cooing until the credits. Even with Tom Cruise’s star draw as agent Ethan Hunt, the Mission: Impossible movies have always been about the team. Mainly because Ethan is not nearly as interesting a spy as James Bond or Jason Bourne, a point reflected by…

This week’s costume design news. Mad Men “She buys her clothes two sizes too small, more 50’s than 60’s.” – Janie Bryant knows her Joan. Yves Saint Laurent Costume designer Madeline Fontaine’s predictably difficult job costuming the immaculate biopic. …and sticking with Yves, HERE‘s Kate Muir’s article inspired by the film for The Times featuring Clothes on Film ed Christopher Laverty. Sunday in New York Another stunning analysis by Kay Noske, this time focusing on Jane Fonda’s enviable wardrobe as ’the only 22 year old virgin left in the world’. Hannibal Part 2 of Hello Tailor’s in-depth analysis. Even if you can’t be bothered to read the article (though you…

Everyone has high hopes for this film, so be among the first to discover whether Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides lives up to the hype by entering our exclusive preview tickets competition. Clothes on Film has TWO PAIRS of tickets to give away to a special early screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides in London’s West End on 9th May at 6.30 pm. Basically that is two winners that can each take along a friend, loved one or harassing relative to see one of the biggest films of 2011 – over a week before it is released! The plot? Well, Johnny Depp is back…