Clothes on film

Michael Kaplan’s career is one film after another of “wow, he did that?” cinema: Blade Runner, Flashdance, Seven, Fight Club, Burlesque, plus dozens more. Kaplan’s connection to Star Trek began as costume designer on J.J. Abrams’ reboot in 2009, and now he is back for the sequel. Despite admitting he was no expert in the world of Star Trek before signing on, his work on both movies has been praised; particularly the Enterprise crew uniforms (that reoccurring Starfleet pattern is a classy touch). Here chatting exclusively to Clothes on Film, Michael Kaplan explains his approach to costuming Star Trek Into Darkness (out everywhere this week). SPOILERS WITHIN Costume sketch of…

When Clothes on Film visited The Muppets Most Wanted set back in March of 2013, we were given a tour of the bustling ‘wardrobe’ (their words) department, as overseen by costume designer Rahel Afiley. You can read more about that HERE, but after chasing Ms. Afiley around the room while she was trying to work, we managed to get a bit more out of her about using designer fashion, i.e. Vivienne Westwood, in the film. As always we are pushing the same old costume/fashion debate, though in this instance hearing from a costume designer on the front line is rather enlightening. Focusing specifically on Miss Piggy, for she is the……

Directed By: Darren Aronofsky Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel Darren Aronofsky’s latest work is perhaps the ultimate mediation on the art/act of performance. The tale of the female ballet dancer and her strive for perfection is detailed here in a manner unlike any other seen upon the big screen, with the metaphorical “journey into hell” that the protagonist takes; a frenzied and visceral portrayal of an industry rarely exposed to the outside from within its notoriously cliquey confines. Black Swan tells the story of Nina (Natalie Portman), a young ballerina who is a rising star in the New York City Ballet. Nina is an only child, her protective…

Glasgow born fashion designer Holly Fulton is to contribute ten outfits for Sarah Jessica Parker in the Sex and the City sequel. Lord Christopher Laverty Comments Off on Hot Scot! Holly Fulton Designs for Sex and the City 2 9 Oct ’18 13 Sep ’10 2 Mar ’10

Costume stories for the festive season. Shame that none of these have anything to do with Christmas. Bronx Bombers on Broadway Let’s all go to the theatre.Tyranny of Style has published an eye-opening interview with Bronx Bombers costume designer David C. Woolard. Having worked in theatre first hand, CoF got just a little bit nostalgic. The Innocents (1961) GORGEOUS gothic costume sketches. Patia Prouty Banshee and Justified’s costume designer talks about her work on both shows in this superb interview for True To Me Too. Punch-Drunk Love Girls Do Film get all caught up in colour. American Horror Story Lou Eyrich left Glee to costume killer nuns and aliens. She…

This is the most fun and elaborate outfit Grace Kelly wears in To Catch a Thief. Two trends in women’s fashion for 2011 are prints and turbans, empathised in the film Coming to America.

This is the most fun and elaborate outfit Grace Kelly wears in To Catch a Thief. Lord Christopher Laverty 8 Comments 19 Aug ’09 13 Apr ’10 23 Jun ’09

In Blake Edwards’ Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, costume supervisor Edith Head), based on the novella by Truman Capote, we get to know Holly Golightly, a mysterious woman-child with a troubled past who refuses to belong to anyone or anywhere. The film reveals much about Holly’s character through its allusions via costume, attests Lisa Magnuson. Holly is presented as young, frightened and damaged; someone who, like a cat, lashes out when others get too close. Holly’s iconic Givenchy dress seen in the opening scene with its thick, cumbersome necklace and yoked back, arguably the most famous costume in film history, represents Holly’s current status as a call girl. The dress consumes…

Betsy Heimann chats exclusively about one of the most iconic costumes of the 1990s. Lord Christopher Laverty 3 Comments 25 Jun ’10 31 Aug ’10 20 Mar ’12 Judianna Makovsky demonstrates that contemporary fashion with a plot is far more fun than a flick through Vogue. Lord Christopher Laverty 4 Comments 1 Apr ’19 11 Jul ’13 15 Jul ’10 Remains a mere gender curio of the era. Lord Christopher Laverty Comments Off on Review: Saturn 3 28 Jul ’17 13 Jul ’10 20 Apr ’12

The glossy costume world of gangster squad is faithful to history, but not a slave to it. Deborah Nadoolman Landis discusses her Hollywood Costume exhibition at the V&A. For those of you lucky enough to live in LA, literally racks of costumes have just on display at The FIDM Museum. A snapshot look at the costume design work of Mary Zophres for True Grit. Well worth a watch. The Costume Designers Guild (CDG) has served up their nominations for this year. The full trailer for the Coen brothers’ remake of True Grit starring Jeff Bridges has moseyed onto the internet.