Playing computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, Noomi Rapace embodies the character in such a exhaustive way that picturing anyone else in the role was, until recently, impossible. Defined by copious piercings, a ragged biker leather jacket and skinny jeans, Lisbeth is a blatant symbol of unconformity. From author Stieg Larsson’s creation to costume designer Cilla Rörby’s interpretation for the screen, Lisbeth harks back to the mid-1970s; the early days of punk and a desire to skew superficial expectations. Lisbeth’s costume changes for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009, directed by Niels Arden Oplev) are faithful, certainly in spirit, to Larsson’s Millennium novels. The overall shock factor has been toned down…

Eastern Promises (2007). The setting: London. The location: burger joint. The outfit: Viggo Mortensen’s gorgeously cut black double breasted suit. It is simply exquisite. Black wool four-on-one double breasted suit with flap hip pockets and rope shoulders; white cotton-poplin turn-down collar shirt; black knitted tie. Mortensen’s mob infiltrator Nikolai is surely the best dressed Russki knuckle duster in the capital? On Viggo’s tall, slim frame the jacket appears elongated, helped by the high four on one button configuration (four buttons on the front of the jacket, one that fastens bellow the lapel line). It seems almost as though it should be a six on two, but this might have made…

By no means intended as an exhaustive list, Clothes on Film ponder an overview of 2011 in costume. If there is a more joyous film this year, we haven’t seen it. Clothes on Film talk exclusively to costume designer of The Artist, Mark Bridges.

Netflix have released a short featurette about costume design for The Alienist, giving an overall glimpse at the work of Michael Kaplan and his team in putting together the era of 1896, New York. What is enticing about The Alienist, apart from the fact that it’s brilliant whodunit telly, is that it is set outside of England, which is so often the preserve of dramas such as these. This is NY style at a point in history when those with money were about to get a whole lot more. Expensive, in other words, and if you had deep enough pockets your taste in fashion would echo this. Check out the…

Clio Barnard’s stark yet heart-wrenching film The Selfish Giant (2013, UK) offers two fantastic performances from its young stars in their acting debut. Matt Price discusses how his costume design for the film reflects the strong, relatable characters so well… It is lunchtime in London as costume designer Matthew Price shuffles into the Curzon, Soho. Recently collaborating with Clio Barnard on the Bafta nominated film, The Selfish Giant, reuniting after experimental documentary The Arbour, Price is surprisingly reserved about his work. “I wasn’t really sure if they’d take me on again,” he says of Barnard and producer Tracey O’Riordan. “The Arbour did quite well so I didn’t know if they’d…

© 2011 Lord Christopher Laverty. All rights reserved. 11 Oct ’11 Clothes on Film are offering you the chance to win a Cowichan style Pendleton cardigan as worn by Jeff Bridges in The Big Lebowski. It will really tie your wardrobe together. Pendleton Woollen Mills made the original cardigan donned by Bridges as The Dude in the Coen Brothers’ classic The Big Lebowski. With a distinctive design based on the Chief Joseph blanket, it features a zip closure and cosy shawl neck. This 100% official re-release is also inspired by the Cowichan natives of British Columbia and knitted in lightweight 3 gauge wool. However, if you want a hole in…

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…

RYAN GOSLING as Jacob in Warner Bros. Pictures? comedy ?CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE.? a Warner Bros. Pictures release. © 2012, Lord Christopher Laverty. By: Lord Christopher LavertyBookmark the permalink. Full size: px × px

That’s it then. Happy holidays everyone! Her This is a good article. Will Joaquin Phoenix wearing high waisted trousers in Her bring about a return of the look on the high street? We really hope so. Low and skinny is as dead as disco. Acutally disco is still awesome, but you get our point. The Butler HUGE analysis and discussion of The Butler from simply wonderful costume designer Ruth E. Carter. Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D We tried to watch this show but it made us feel old. That said the costumes by Ann Foley look spiffy. Read Tyranny of Style’s interview (with illustrations and inspiration board) to discover more. Batman…

The week in costume stories and links. FIDM Gorgeous costumes on display from 2013 released movies. Tyranny of Style takes you there… Some more good FIDM photos at Frocktalk. Downton Abbey Insightful gallery notes by costumer Caroline McCall. Sure, baby boys in the early 1920s would’ve worn a dress, but that would definitely have confused viewers. How Wool is produced for Fabric Riveting Costume Cafe podcast with Franny Kansteiner of Gum Tree Farm and Organic Wool Works. Costumer of Awesome Second shout for this beyond hilarious, gif heavy tubmlr by an (unnamed) costume designer currently working in the business. The Walking Dead Another thorough interview with costume designer Eulyn Womble,…