Tyranny of Style

• High-Fashion Historic Hybrid - The Costume Design of Reign

  The CW’s Reign, based loosely on the life of Mary Queen of Scots, has taken a decidedly modern approach to the retelling of this historic drama. And the costumes have played a huge part in this adaptation. Maddening to period purists, the show has purposely created a high-fashion hybrid, weaving in current fashion with historic styles. As a costume historian, I initially found it hard to settle into, as referenced by my first review after only one episode. However, I am thankful I took the time to revisit the show, plunging further into the storyline and costume journey. The show has proven an excellent fantasy hybrid, fascinatingly mixing period costumes for the background and older characters, but letting loose in reimagining the main and younger characters.

  

  Read the entire High-Fashion Historic Hybrid - The Costume Design of Reign article here...

• 17th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards Nominations

  The 17th Costume Designers Guild Award nominations are out! This annual award show honors excellence in costume design for film and television, as nominated and voted on by members of the costume designer's union. What makes the cycle so exciting is that, unlike in any other awards, costume honors are awarded in a variety of film and television categories, allowing designers to be recognized for something other than period frocks! See the designers nominated, and a few brief observations below.

  

  Read the entire 17th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards Nominations article here...

• Sneak Peek at The Costumes of Marvel's Agent Carter!

  Agent Carter has been captivating fans since she first appeared in the flesh in Marvel’s Captain America in 2011. A smart, stunning, hard as nails female agent who can talk or fight her way out of any problem. She’s appeared briefly since in a short film, aging in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and a cameo in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Now Peggy Carter returns to the small screen in an 8-episode mini-series full of twists, turns, not to mention terrific style courtesy of Emmy Award winning costume designer Giovanna (Gigi) Ottobre-Melton!

  

  Read the entire Sneak Peek at The Costumes of Marvel's Agent Carter! article here...

• Gowns, Illustrations and More - The Making of Gone With The Wind

  75 Years after its release, Gone With The Wind remains one of the most successful, and iconic films of all time. The making of the film, however, was filled with nearly as much drama, controversy, and uncertainty as the film itself. The Making of Gone With The Wind exhibit, currently on display at The Harry Ransom Center in Austin Texas, tells the story of the film’s rollercoaster development through more than 300 rarely seen and some never-before-exhibited materials. The exhibition is drawn entirely from the Ransom Center's collections, of particular interest to any costume enthusiast is the beautiful array of on-set photographs, makeup stills, costume sketches, the green curtain dress and other gowns worn by Vivien Leigh, displayed together for the first time in more than 25 years.

  

  Read the entire Gowns, Illustrations and More - The Making of Gone With The Wind article here...

• Super Suits and High Fashion: Costume Designer Michael Wilkinson

  On Sunday, November 16th, Austin Film Society welcomed acclaimed costume designer Michael Wilkinson for an Artist Spotlight event at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas. The evening featured a beautiful reception, with a chance to chat with Michael, as well as view costumes and never before released costume illustrations. The feature of the night was a conversation with Wilkinson about his wonderfully complex and jet-propelled career, moderated by “Ms. Costume 411” herself, the brilliant Bobi Garland.

  

  Read the entire Super Suits and High Fashion: Costume Designer Michael Wilkinson article here...

• Hollywood Costume: A Celebration of Design, on Display in Los Angeles

  The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has brought the phenomenal Hollywood Costume exhibit, originally presented at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, to Los Angeles for its final U.S. stop, and it is not to be missed. The display is a glorious celebration of the artists who play an integral part in creating the look of a film, offering an in-depth exploration of the many elements of costume design. The stars of the exhibit are all of the beautiful costumes on view from a century of film history, but what really makes it a unique experience is the inspired integration of technology.

  

  Read the entire Hollywood Costume: A Celebration of Design, on Display in Los Angeles article here...

• Revolutionizing a Classic - The Costumes of Dallas Theater Center's Les Mis

  The mention of Les Misérables conjures up very specific images and emotions for most theatregoers. Dallas Theater Center’s latest production shatters every one of these pre-conceived notions. This bold, immersive, never-before-seen staging of this beloved musical thrusts the story and the actors out into the audience, and into our time. A shift from traditional 19th century costumes to a world that is a little bit futuristic and a lot modern, is easily the most jarring element of the production. Director Liesl Tommy, costume designer Jacob Climer, and the rest of the design team worked beautifully to pry us from the complacency of a period drama and drop us squarely into a story that feels raw, real, relevant, and truly revolutionary.

  

  Read the entire Revolutionizing a Classic - The Costumes of Dallas Theater Center's Les Mis article here...

• The costumes of Aladdin on Broadway for Stage Directions Magazine

  This month's Stage Directions Magazine cover story written by Tyranny Of Style editor Joe Kucharski, based on our February interview with Disney's Aladdin on Broadway costume designer Gregg Barnes.

  

  Check-out the entire article available online!

• Designing an Icon - The Costumes of Here Lies Love

  Here Lies Love is a fast-paced, heart-wrenching new musical that follows the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos, the first lady of the Philippines, in an immersive, 90 minute, action-packed performance. The audience is on their feet for the entire performance, following performers from stage to stage as the show spans from the 1940s to the 1980s in a club-inspired, DJ led party that takes your from dancing to tears. Breathtaking performances are matched only by the phenomenally powerful, and well-choreographed design elements.

  

  Read the entire Designing an Icon - The Costumes of Here Lies Love article here...

• FIDM's 8th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design

  Once again, the FIDM Museum in Los Angeles has delivered a wonderful look back at the past year’s best in television costume design. The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design exhibition, opening this week, features a diverse sampling of television costumes from every genre, from the stunning period details of Downton Abbey to the contemporary prison garb on Orange is the New Black.

  

  Read the entire FIDM's 8th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design article here...