©ourtesy dailymail.co.uk By Sadie Whitelocks
Women still hanker after the simple black dress worn by Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. And, millions of other ensembles seen on the big screen continue to influence fashion. Now recognizing the power of the Hollywood costume, a major exhibition will showcase more than a hundred of the most memorable wares for the first time. Items such as Dorothy’s blue and white gingham pinafore dress from The Wizard of Oz, and Scarlett O’Hara’s green ‘curtain’ gown worn in Gone with the Wind will be displayed alongside items from more recent releases including Consolata Boyle’s costumes for Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady. The exhibition, launching at the V&A this October, has taken more than five years to pull together. Clothing was sourced from across the world and has been borrowed from costume houses, museums, film studios and private collectors. A Footnote: Hollywood studios focus on the designers interpretation of the natural history of scripts. Los Angeles County has long been a haven for film production in California. Studios like Warner Bros have long featured the work of the Costume Designer in many film production movies and previews. Edith Head always stands out as a pioneer in breaking down the costume plot with emphasis on historical costumes for the hollywood film. It was pure genius what she accomplished. Fashion design schools more and more are introducing Costume Design as a major. The American Film Industry by far is a part of a staple of good film making, Internationally. The costume designer jobs have been celebrated by the Academy Awards since its inception. Even Independent film makers relish the Costume Designer in the movie business as well as Major Film Studios. Oscar nominations doesn’t necessarily mean an Award but it’s close. Sandy Powell a seasoned Costume Designer has brought the art of Costume Design to a level of greatness. This years oscar nominees for films like War Horse Steven Spielberg’s epic, The Descendants with George Clooney, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Hugo directed by Martin Scorsesse, are all a shoe for the Academy Awards. Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre has been playing host for the presentations in the past few years where winners like SOCIAL NETWORK, THE KING’S SPEECH and THE SOCIAL NETWORK were all costume design contenders. Just think, back when it all started the Hollywood Roosevelt was host. Now it’s a great part of Oscar History. Don’t forget the many other categories: Art Direction, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actress Oscar and so on. Film Schools in LA are now very prevalent and talent from all over the globe go there waiting for their day in the sun. French actors, British actors and of course our American actors all await being an Oscar Winner whether they admit or not. Period costumes for The Silent Film “The Artist” inspired great artistry and performance by a great assortment of Talent from various parts of the World. Wow…good Old Hollywood! – - Read more
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