Clothes on film

SPOILERS THROUGHOUT Having recently finished a six week, six episode run on the BBC, John le Carré adapted spy drama The Little Drummer Girl was divisive in terms of audience reaction. Some found the plot impossible to follow, others revelled in the cloak and dagger shenanigans of twenty-something Charmain ‘Charlie’ Ross (Florence Pugh), a low level actress drawn into a high stakes mission of infiltrating a Palestinian revolutionary group in 1979. The show’s costume design by Sheena Napier and Stephen Noble inspired equal division. While most enjoyed the eye-popping period ensembles and how they exemplified character, just as many were left confounded by their conspicuous presence. One thing that cannot……

Part one of a new Dual Analysis costume film review. Attesting that upbeat and silly often go hand in hand, Beetle Juice (1988) stands as one of director Tim Burton’s most cheerfully insane projects. If its blend of fantasy, horror, comedy proves too much for some, then the imaginative costumes by Aggie Guerard Rodgers and Bo Welch’s vibrant production design save the film from merely a cult following. Yet there is so much to see in Beetle Juice that the real enjoyment comes from re-viewing. This spooky tale revolves around the recently deceased Maitlands, Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis). Just coming to terms with dying and forced to…

The scruffy gumshoe style of Mickey Rourke in Angel Heart (1987). With very special trousers. Lord Christopher Laverty Comments Off on The Gumshoe Chic of Mickey Rourke in Angel Heart (1987) 18 May ’12 19 Jun ’10 22 Sep ’09 The costumes of Rumble Fish express the importance of teenage dress codes before the segregating journey into adulthood. Contributor 4 Comments 16 Feb ’13 11 May ’10 7 Feb ’14 A satisfactory start to the summer blockbuster season. Lord Christopher Laverty 8 Comments 15 Jul ’13 17 May ’13 19 May ’13

Playing computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander, Noomi Rapace embodies the character in such a way that picturing anyone else in the role is nearly impossible.

Locke (2013, costume design by Nigel Egerton) is a film unique in its restrictions – it takes place in real time, has only one character and only one setting. Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) is driving somewhere important, and over the course of the film’s 85 minute running time, his life gradually begins to crumble around him as he desperately tries to salvage it. The controlled environment – the inside of his car – and the fact that the only character we actually see is Ivan himself means that interest in him is the only way of maintaining an audience’s attention with such limited visual stimulation. Ivan is the only character…

Cosmopolis satisfies as everything avant-garde cinema should be; an immaculate journey into weird. Lord Christopher Laverty 2 Comments 19 Dec ’11 26 Apr ’11 20 Aug ’10

Locke (2013, costume design by Nigel Egerton) is a film unique in its restrictions – it takes place in real time, has only one character and only one setting. Ivan Locke (Tom Hardy) is driving somewhere important, and over the course of the film’s 85 minute running time, his life gradually begins to crumble around him as he desperately tries to salvage it. The controlled environment – the inside of his car – and the fact that the only character we actually see is Ivan himself means that interest in him is the only way of maintaining an audience’s attention with such limited visual stimulation. Ivan is the only character…

Hugo is Scorsese’s monument to wonder and excitement. Here Sandy Powell exclusively explains her costume choices to Clothes on Film. Lord Christopher Laverty 2 Comments 22 Jan ’13 21 Sep ’12 28 Sep ’11

The Phantom of the opera demonstrates that the colour, size and shape of a character’s costumes can communicate on a subliminal level. Costume designer Margot Wilson talks exclusively to Clothes on Film about her impeccable work on Lawless. Wes Anderson’s most sartorially significant film yet. Gena Rowlands’ costumes as Gloria evocate character through a fashionable capsule wardrobe. Clothes on Film on the costume design for HBO’s immense fantasy series, Game of Thrones. Ruth E. Carter’s work on Do the Right Thing is a masterclass in how costume can influence the look and feel of a film. Hugo is Scorsese’s monument to wonder and excitement. Here Sandy Powell exclusively explains her…

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…