The week, the costume stories. Oldboy Ruth Carter on working with Elizabeth Olsen and co. for Spike Lee’s upcoming remake. Some really fab costume sketches too. Piero Tosi The wonderful costume designer (The Leopard, The[…] Moments of sartorial significance, and that glimmer of recognition that we feel upon seeing an onscreen outfit worn more than once are found throughout Smooth Talk, Joyce Chopra’s underseen 1986 adaptation of a Joyce Carol[…] What have you missed costume wise this week? Well…. Sandy Powell In conversation with Kinvara Balfour at the Regent Street Apple Store, 18th November. Scandal Lyn Paolo has no intention of becoming a fashion designer.[…] When you are costuming the…

Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem Directed By: Sam Mendes SPOILER FREE James Bond thunders back to our screens in what feels like a reboot of the 50 year old franchise with the same actor. This is not the 007 who calmly waits for a man to bleed to death before stealing his Harrington; the brutal cold bastard of Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace has mellowed considerably and can even manage a quip or two. Whether this development will delight or disappoint is a matter of personal taste. One thing is certain however; Bond has never scrubbed up better. Tom Ford now exists to make Daniel Craig suits.…

Because the sun is out making us all feel like we’re in Cannes (probably not by the time you read this), and because it’s the weekend, let’s have a look at some of the coolest movie sunglasses money can buy. Of course there are hundreds of memorable movie sunglasses, so no list written will ever be enough – or no list written today will be enough anyway. These, however, should get the ball rolling. Iconic, purposeful, and above all, cool, here are five filmic shades to beat the Riviera rays. Anthony Hopkins in Cutler and Gross for Hannibal Supposedly hiding out in Florence, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) cannot resist…

There is a man on Boardwalk Empire with even more sartorial presence than Steve Buscemi’s saffron silk gangster Nucky Thompson. Whereas Nucky may stop at red plaid suit and homburg, this man will brave a red topcoat with fur collar and leather buttons, red plaid suit and a bow-tie; he is the man to teach us all that colour and pattern are not only masculine, but the most masculine. He is Chalky White. Known to many for his career defining turn as Omar on The Wire, in Boardwalk Empire, Michael Kenneth Williams plays a gangster even shrewder and perhaps even more capable. Certainly he is better dressed. Williams’ prohibition era…

Costumes! Read all about it! Fifty Shades of Grey Will Victoria Beckham be the film’s costume designer? Oh dear, we smell another Black Swan situation. X-Men: First Class Part two of Gavia Baker’s superb costume round up. This time: menswear. Gwen Russell The costume maker of Dangerous Liaisons (not the costume DESIGNER like this sloppy article states) – she lives in Croydon, don’t cha know? Camera Ready In development TV show by Syfy, where 10 costume designers compete to create works of sartorial art for film, TV and music videos. Blue Jasmine Insightful guide to Cate Blanchett’s terribly chic and expensive costumes. Marathon Man Mode Parade has something interesting to…

Everyone who wishes to has seen and digested Inception by now, and still the most popular topic of discussion is Jeffrey Kurland’s inspiring costumes. Introducing costume design to cinemagoers who perhaps never would have noticed the craft before, Jeffrey has truly broken down barriers with Inception. Very kindly, he has taken time out of his busy schedule to once again speak exclusively to Clothes on Film about his intended meaning behind the costumes, plus some further details about the outfits themselves. Clothes on Film, Chris: Were the leather jackets worn by Leonardo DiCaprio as Cobb and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Arthur custom designed by yourself? Jeffrey Kurland: I designed and had…

Oi! Costume! The Fifth Element Jean Paul Gaultier’s original costume for when Prince was cast as outrageous Ruby Rhod. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire A few more words with Trish Summerville about one of the most anticipated costume films of the year. Downton Abbey Caroline McCall discusses challenges of working on the show. Noticed all the purples and blacks worn by Lady Mary this season? That’s because she is still in mourning. Catching Fire Jennifer Lawrence wanted to wear “everything” apparently. Understandable from what we’ve seen of the costumes so far. Video: Ms Summerville explaining even more about those Katniss and co costumes. Exciting, exciting… Costume Cafe Podcast Lauren Delany…

Starring: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard Directed By: James Mangold Knight and Day has no real characters, no plot, no-sense of urgency, no point to speak of. Yet, somehow, polished up like Tom Cruise’s bright white teeth reflected in his Persol Havana sunglasses, it very nearly works. Director James Mangold envelops this shiny affair in a retro air, specifically the comedy/action genre so prevalent during the 1970s. In fact, were this film made back then it would likely have co-starred Goldie Hawn in the shrieking Cameron Diaz role and Burt Reynolds as Cruise’s, top off at least three times and seemingly impervious to bullets lead. As loud Julie Havens,…

Directed By: Joe Johnston Starring: Chris Evans, Hayley Atwell, Hugo Weaving Old school, Saturday matinee fun, Captain America: The First Avenger is director Joe Johnston’s best since The Rocketeer (1991) and features some of the finest superhero genre costume design ever committed to film. The assured skill of designer Anna B. Sheppard brings The First Avenger alive, blending potentially high camp ensembles into a believable story environment; one that is essentially a fantasy parallel of our own. It is childish and fun, but with a serious dramatic core at its heart. The 1940s backdrop is rich with costume and production design motifs; muted sepia with flashes of patriotic colour. Captain…

Just days behind our first glimpse at Prince of Persia, we have a minute or so teaser trailer for Clash of the Titans. It’s certainly loud. Watch the HD trailer HERE Frenzied, deafening, BIG scorpions and hairdo – just a few words that spring to mind upon seeing this montage. Not much chance to soak up the costumes, but the look is calculable: tunics and armour, Keffiyah headdress and kilts. Costume designer for Clash of the Titans is Welsh born Lindy Hemming. Noted for putting Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond in Brioni for GoldenEye (1995), Hemming has notched up a sizable Hollywood CV with enough blockbusters to start her own franchise.…