Now, in this blog I will be listing my TOP TEN COSTUME MOVIES for all costume and movie lovers. I also thought it would be a good deal of fun to mention my favorite costume within each of these films. Below each film is a link to view the garment I’ve selected as the best costume from that specific film.
Let’s begin!
*These are in no specific order*
*All images are courtesy of Google Images*
1) Moulin Rouge
This film is absolutely, without any question, stunning in every respect. From cinematography, to acting, to costumes, and even to set design, Moulin Rouge rises to the occasion. This little film by Baz Lurhmann was nominated for eight Academy Awards back in 2001 (it won two – one for art direction, and another for costume design). This film has an array of fantastic costumes, even the back ground actors are strikingly dressed, and provides the viewer with constant eye candy. My pick for the best costume from this film would have to be the red dress. Even though it only appears on screen for a brief period of time, its potent beauty is moving enough to become one of the most iconic images from the film. Note: this costume, while beautiful, is NOT historically accurate.
http://www.fashionsoftheages.com/Images/moulinrouge/moulinred1.jpg
2) Marie Antoinette
This film starring Kirsten Dunst, also snagged a coveted Oscar for its costumes in 2006. It has a beautiful color palate and even more beautiful costumes. Now, it is vital to know that these costumes, while captivating, are not historically accurate. Back in the days of Louis the 16th, people tended to wear dark reds, blues, browns, and grays as opposed to the film’s bubble gum candy interpretation of the Georgian world. But, never the less, it’s pretty to look at. My pick for the best costume piece from this film – out all 60 of them!- would have to be Marie’s black masquerade ball gown! FANTASTIC!
Below is a link to a site where you can view all 60 of Kirsten’s costumes!
http://costumersguide.com/cr_ma.shtml
3) Vanity Fair
I usually don’t care too much for Regency era clothing, but there’s something to be said about Vanity Fair’s costumes. A lot of sewing techniques were employed to give a plain silhouette depth. If you notice the gowns, a great deal of tucking, rouching, beading, and gathering was done to each piece. Also, I urge you to take note of the men’s costumes in this film for they are just as magnificent as the women’s. My pick for the best costume piece for this film would have to be Reese Witherspoon’s black ball gown. Check out the hair!
http://thecia.com.au/reviews/v/images/vanity-fair-7.jpg
4) A Series of Unfortunate Events
This film is costumed by award winning costume designer Colleen Atwood , who received an Oscar nomination for her work on this film. The story takes place in an anachronistic world where all things –fashion included- seem to draw inspiration from all eras. The most impressive thing about the costumes in this film is the attention to detail. My pick for the best costume from A Series of Unfortunate Events would have to be Count Olaf’s frock coat and top hat. Check it out! The strips on his coat, vest, and pants are actually strips of fabric sewn onto black material!
http://l.yimg.com/eb/ymv/us/img/hv/photo/movie_pix/paramount_pictures/lemony_snicket_s_a_series_of_unfortunate_events/jim_carrey/lemony6.jpg
5) Interview with The Vampire
In my own opinion, Interview with The Vampire is one of the best Kirsten Dunst films ever made. Now, all of the costumes within this film are fantastic, even the men’s costumes are eye-catching. One great of the great things about this film is that it takes place over the course of two hundred years, allowing the audience to get to see fashion evolve from the Georgian era to modern day. One really great thing about Claudia’s clothing throughout the film is that it develops from children’s dresses to women’s clothing over the years, even though her body never changes. My pick for the best costume from this film is Claudia’s stunning blue gown. Very few publicity shots exist of her in this gown and it was rather difficult to track down a decent image of her in this dress. The dress seems to be made from a royal blue satin or silk and it has both an apron in the front of the dress and a gathered train in the back.
All of the costumes within this film are historically accurate except for the fact that Claudia, towards the end of the film, wears fashion that would have been intended for more mature women. This blue gown would NOT have been appropriate on a girl of her age in the 1800’s.
http://www.naergilien.info/interesting_costumes/cap011.jpg
6) The Duchess
For those of you that know me, it wouldn’t surprise you thoroughly to know that I have two Georgian era films on my list. I LOVE GEORGIAN! This lovely little piece stars Keira Knightly and won an Academy award last year for its costume designs. This color palate differs from that of Marie Antoinette in the sense that it is more historically accurate. Lots of grays, browns, reds, and blues were worn in both the film and during the Georgian era. My pick for the best costume from this piece would have to be Keira Knightly’s blue fox tails outfit! Check out the hat!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/26/duchess_whig_fox.jpg
7) The Devil Wears Prada
In a world where high fashion reigns supreme, Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway take center stage. The great thing about this film is that it has amazing costumes and takes place in modern day! Very seldom do we have movies that make our heads turn when watching “costumes” from the 21st century. This film is stock piled with tons of couture fashion that simply makes for beautiful cinema. My pick for the best costume in this film would have to be Andie’s black evening dress. With her hair done in an up do, she looks very reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Below, Andie can be seen on the far left.
http://images.salon.com/ent/movies/review/2006/06/30/prada/story.jpg
8) The Red Shoes
This is one of my all time favorite films. It’s from the 40’s and everything about it is fantastic. I know, I really should put more effort into my writing, but I can’t. Fantastic. That’s just the right word for the film. No other word would suffice. If you liked Moulin Rouge, you’d love this film. A lot of the costume pieces in this film look as though they’re not even from the 1940’s but are in fact inspired by late Victorian garments. My pick for the best costume from this film would have to be the ballet costume.
Look how similar Moira Shearer looks to Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge! Even down to the pale skin and the red hair!
http://www.bard.edu/institutes/fishercenter/press/pressphotos/images/TheRedShoes.jpg
9) Elizabeth (1&2)
In both films, the costumes rival the talents of the director and actors. It’s almost even difficult to notice the acting when the performers are wearing such intricate and ornate costumes! Now, the color palate does seem to shift from the first film to the second. The first film has a richer, dark palate compared to the bright and lush color palate of the second film. Also, the costumes in the second film are far more ornate than those in the first in terms of bead work, tucking, lace…details, basically. I’m going to have two picks for this selection because I’m basically doing two films. The first would be the golden gown from the first film, worn by Cate Blanchett. The Second would be Cate Blanchett’s orange gown from Elizabeth: The Golden Years.
http://reneeashleybaker.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/cate-blanchette-as-young-elizabeth.jpg
http://witneyman.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/golden19.jpg
10) My Fair Lady
I know that most of the films that made it onto my list are mostly from the past twenty years or so but there are SO MANY great films with magnificent costumes! Seriously, if you ever can find the time in your day, sit down and turn on TCM. Almost all of the films have great costumes to look at, even if they weren’t period films for the time! My Fair Lady has to be one of the best motion pictures to date. Audrey Hepburn dawns this “little” number in one of the most memorable scenes from the film. I love the hat!
http://billsmovieemporium.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/audrey-hepburn-my_l.jpg
Now, remember that THERE ARE TONS OF GREAT FILMS FOR COSTUMES! I’m really interested in hearing some of your favorites! Leave a comment below!
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I can know say for sure (as if I weren't before) that you watch a great many more movies than I do. My goodness.
ReplyDeleteTank ya berry mucho, madame.
ReplyDeleteHello! I realize how many years ago this post was created, but I came across it researching fashion from the 1800's and it's fabulous! Thank you! I just have to say that the reason Claudia is wearing a woman's dress in Interview with a Vampire is because though she still has the body of a child, she has now been undead for many years and has the mind of a woman. The only way she can feel adult is to dress like one. But for historical purposes it is correct that a child would not dress this way! Thanks again!
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