Tyranny of Style

• Conversation with Michael Wilkinson: Superman - Costuming an Icon at LACMA

  Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) recently gave its Costume Council members, as well as the general public, a great opportunity to attend a discussion with Oscar-nominated costume designer Michael Wilkinson, hosted by Western Costume's Director of the Research Library and Costume Archive, Bobi Garland. While the evening focused largely on Wilkinson's work for the most recent Superman film, Man of Steel, it also provided some wonderful insight into Michael's overall design process and philosophy.

  

  Read the entire Conversation with Michael Wilkinson: Superman - Costuming an Icon here...

• FitzSimmons Style on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

  Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is one of the hottest new shows on television, and FitzSimmmons are a huge part of that popularity. The nerdy duo of Agent Leo Fitz (Iain De Caestecker), engineer, and Agent Jemma Simmons (Elizabeth Henstridge), bio-chemist, are new to the field, work in sync, and rock some incredible style. Costume designer Ann Foley brilliantly layers small patterns and interesting pieces, expertly dressing the two best-dressed geeks of this generation!

  I recently had the opportunity to chat with Iain and Elizabeth about the role of style for their characters and in their own lives.

  

  Read the entire FitzSimmons Style on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. here...

• Oscar Red Carpet Fashion Re-Cap

  The Academy Awards' Red Carpet has come to be the pinnacle of the fashion scene for Hollywood's elite! All the biggest names were out, wearing the latest trends. Our look and some of the best and worst styles of the night!

  

  Read the entire Oscar Red Carpet Fashion Re-Cap article here...

• Bobi Garland - Director, Research Library and Costume Archive - Western Costume Company

  Costume design is storytelling; transforming an actor into a character that is complex and believable. Successful costume designers make this happen through exhaustive research and investigation of a time, place, culture, and individuals. Bobi Garland, Director of the Research Library and Costume Archive at Western Costume Company is an unsung hero of the film industry, regularly called on by Emmy, BAFTA, Costume Designers Guild, and Oscar award winning designers to add invaluable richness to the worlds they create.

  

  Read the entire Bobi Garland - Director, Research Library and Costume Archive - Western Costume Company article here...

• Costume Design for Disney's Aladdin on Broadway!

  Gregg Barnes is a Tony Award winning costume designer, best known for incredible Broadway designs that range from Legally Blonde to Follies, and Kinky Boots. He has been working on his latest show, Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway, throughout its evolution over the last three years. Gregg opens up about his career in costume design and the exciting process of bringing this much beloved cartoon to the stage!

  

  Read the entire Costume Design for Disney's Aladdin on Broadway! here...

• A Comfortable Future - Costume Design of Her for Clothes on Film

  The near future romance Her, written and directed by Spike Jonze, whose widely diverse resume ranges from the world of music videos to MTV’s Jackass to major motion pictures, brought together a creative team that costume designer Casey Storm refers to as “friends first, and co-workers second.” Storm and production designer K.K. Barrett create a soft, comfortable world of tomorrow. Shot on location around Los Angeles and Shanghai, Barrett avoided familiar locations to create a world that is accessible but not overtly recognisable.

  

  Read the entire A Comfortable Future - Costume Design of Her over at Clothes on Film.

• FIDM 22nd Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition

  A sunny day with a slight chill in the air, an average winter day in Los Angeles, and the perfect weather to celebrate the opening of the 22nd Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design exhibit at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum. Each year this exhibit celebrates the best of film costume design from the previous year. 

  

  Read the entire FIDM 22nd Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition here...

• Sochi 2014 Olympic Opening Ceremony Outfits

  The Olympic Opening Ceremony has grown in scope and spectacle each year as host countries try to one-up each other. The festivities culminate in the Parade of Nations, where each country’s participating athletes march into the stadium, waving their flag and representing the presence of their home country at the games. This has become an exciting opportunity for each nation to make a statement through clothing, often relying on big name fashion brands to set the vision. Here we feature some of the best and worst looks as we anxiously await their arrival on the world’s stage!

  

  Read the entire Sochi 2014 Olympic Opening Ceremony Outfits article here...

• A Day In The Life - Running Wardrobe - Boyzone 20th Anniversary Tour

  Wendy Benstead runs a studio in London that makes exceptional garments for film, TV, theatre, bridal and couture. Over the holidays, Wendy was involved in the Boyzone 20th Anniversary tour. I recently had the chance to ask her about life on the road- a behind the scenes look at the world of wardrobe.

  

  A Day In The Life - Running Wardrobe - Boyzone 20th Anniversary Tour here...

• Her Costume Design - Envisioning a Warm, Comfortable Future

  Her tells the quiet, beautiful story of the unlikely relationship that develops between a lonely writer and his interactive operating system. The costumes place us in a not so distant future through subtle use of minimalism, shape and color. Costume designer Casey Storm does an incredible job supporting the story and then getting out of the way. Already nominated for a 2014 Costume Designers Guild Award for Excellence in Contemporary Film, I recently had the chance to ask Casey about his work on Her.

  

  Read the entire Her Costume Design - Envisioning a Warm, Comfortable Future here...