I don’t know how many of you think about who your favorite costume designer is. I do, often. One person always is in the forefront of my mind. Colleen Atwood. Every time I am watching a movie and her name appears my heart swells with the knowledge that I will soon be witnessing clothes that will smite mine eye with a beauty so large the silver screen cannot contain it!
Colleen Atwood has been the costume designer for a long list of films including: Alice in Wonderland, Silence of the Lambs, Mars Attacks, Chicago, Sweeney Todd and many many more. Below are a few of my favorites.
Public Enemies. The linen suit that Christian Bale wears at the end of the film right before...well that's a spoiler so I won't say. Irregardless I could not, and still cannot get that suit out of my head.
Gattaca. The impeccable severity of most of the costumes in this movie are what stands out. Even the evening dress Uma Thurman is wearing in this picture reflects the societies themes of striving for perfection but without dallying into creativity and imagination. Although the way her hair is styled, down instead of her normal severe bun is an indication something is not quite normal.
Big Fish. The visual of Ewan McGregor in the daffodil field, the blue against the yellow. The unreal storybook quality of the perfection of the suit.
Sleepy Hollow. These costumes are so intricate. Delicate, yet dark and Gothic enough to suggest, if the axe wasn't clue enough, that something bad is going to happen. Miranda Richardson's dress pictured here is my favorite of the film.
Any costumes from a movie that have made an impression on you?
Love ABBS
Dear Abbs, Will you be MY costume designer? I mean, like, my own personal one. You could also work for me at the theatre I will eventually own, if you like, but really I just want neat clothes.
ReplyDeleteBrittany
I liked the costumes from Bram Stoker's Dracula. The armor in all its muscley-ness was pretty neat, since the count's sin was trying to take by brute force everlasting life. There is some really lovely scrollwork/embroidery as well in that movie. The scene with old drac walking across the cross floor with a long red robe/cape covering it really plays nicely with the whole backstory of the film.
ReplyDeleteIn the Children of Dune, there is an outfit with a pantsuit kind of thing, but with a full length skirt that is only in the back. I would like to be able to try that on... looked feminine, but able to be worn while kickboxing as well. :-)
This isn't a movie but the Stratford Festival in Canada always seems to come up with some really nice costumes.
ReplyDeleteI loved the Alice in Wonderland costumes. It would be soo cool to have the budget and talent to be able to see your imagination take shape like that. I watch movies for that type of thing too.
These are Miss Universe 2010 costumes, but they made me think of you. This is what happens when I procrastinate lesson planning... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/fashionpicturegalleries/7954102/Miss-Universe-2010-more-national-costumes.html
ReplyDeleteBrittany: of course, when you have lots of money I would be happy too.
ReplyDeleteLana: I LOVE the armor in Dracula, haven't seen Children of Dune must put on list
Kerri: I know, Alice in Wonderland is so great, I love the dress the Mad Hatter makes for her when she's in the teapot
Rachel: I'm slightly scared that you thought of me when you saw the Miss Universe costumes lol. But I LOVE Miss Mexico's.