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Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
Bloody Brilliant - My Crimson Peak Review
Well ladies and gents, I finally had the chance to see the film Crimson Peak, directed by Guillermo del Toro, both written by del Toro and Matthew Robbins. The film stars Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam, and Jim Beaver.
I'm still digesting all the visceral beauty that this film is made of.
All I can say for now is that it's a swirling masterpiece, and an homage to all the classic horror thrillers of the last 100+ years.
There is a hefty dose of the literary style of the era in the storytelling, but not so much that it would tire modern moviegoers with short-attention-span sensibilities. This classic Gothic romance goes straight for the jugular and races into the utterly disturbing, introducing us to the restless souls that have passed on. It delicately plunges into murderous mayhem straight away, while it hands us a hot cup of tea.
There's also a violent scene during the first half, that seems straight out of Boardwalk Empire. You'll know it when you see it.
The loving nod to Hammer Studios-style horror can instantly be seen but really, who are we kidding? Let's get down to the nitty-gritty; they *absolutely nailed the costuming*.
Borrowing heavily from actual trends in fashion between 1877 and 1901, they were able to incorporate the imaginative artistic influences that couture fashion was reflecting at the time, rather than try to modernize it.
Two of the main characters represent the present and the past with their choice of clothing. One is twisted with dark tragic beauty, while the other is bright, lyrical and full of optimism.
Along with the set design, lighting and art direction, the costuming is a fashion time capsule that has just burst open before our eyes. When combined with the aforementioned elements, it becomes a stunning painting in motion.
Needless to say, I have a stash of fabrics that have been yearning to become something similar to what we see Edith (Mia) wearing in the film as she plays a true American belle of the Art Nouveau age.
Below are some historical examples I like to think were inspiration for the costumes of Crimson Peak.
1893 Worth ballgown
Late 1870s natural form gowns
Jessica Chastain as Lady Lucille Sharpe
Evening cape by Emile Pingat 1890s, and Mia as Edith Cushing
Worth gown, and painting by John Singer Sargent
Worth cloak, and movie set still of Mia playing the role of Edith Cushing
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
A Must Watch...
How on earth did I miss this?!
A trip back in time for a glimpse into life in England, during the reign of King George III.
I'll post links to the full episodes when I find them...
A trip back in time for a glimpse into life in England, during the reign of King George III.
At Home with the Georgians, Prof. Amanda Vickery from Matchlight on Vimeo.
I'll post links to the full episodes when I find them...
Friday, August 26, 2011
Future dress project that I MUST DO...
Ok, something just occurred to me.
Week before last, I had the pleasure of finally seeing my favorite film, Amadeus on the big screen.
I was too much of a wee thing to have seen it, or even remember it, in theaters when it came out.
ANYway, I digress;
"It's Turkish. My hairdresser says that everything this year is going to be Turkish".
;-)
Yes indeed, I want to make this dress and hat......or at least my version of it.
Admittedly while the costumes in Amadeus are great but highly questionable in historical accuracy (the women's in particular, there are zippers up the backs of the dresses for crying out loud!), this one isn't so bad.
BUT, there are issues with it. I can see her panniers poking through, the bodice is cut wrong, are there stays under there?
And if she were that fashion and trend conscious she wouldn't be wearing the old style panniers with it, she'd likely have a bum roll and the skirts might even be hitched up into a "Polonaise" if she were in the city.
I could go on and on, but it's a really fun costume and that is what carries though in the scene. The dress *is* Katerina.
One thing I do love, is that they used the Robe a la Turk concept for the dress. Note the little cap sleeves over long fitted sleeves.
So what would I do with my version?
I would keep the Robe a la Turk concept, but make it more accurate.
The front would be a zone front, as most original engravings and illustrations of this style suggest. The film version has a faux "V" front and I really don't like the way it's done. It looks like part of a high school play stage costume. As though it's just pulled tight around her torso and has built in boning rather than a separate pair of stays. Considering the rest of the costumes in the film with zippers, that is likely the case.
I do love the striped fabrics used, and the way they use them here is pretty spot on. During the late 1770s and early 80s, the more you could pile on your dress and head, the better. I've seen original fashion illustrations that support the same use of drapes and sashes on her skirt. As well, the gold bullion tassels and fringe.
And I really want a walking staff. Perhaps an easy project after a trip to Home Depot?
Hers is a little short, but perhaps that was personal preferance back then?
As for her hat and her hair style; pretty darn near perfect.
I may do a slightly different style in both hat and hair to suit my own tastes, but I'll keep the general concept and materials.
While I must be realistic, this likely won't come to fruition anytime soon. I have my gent's wardrobe to sew first, then mine, then the fun crazy stuff such as the above project.
...meanwhile I'll be hunting for the perfect wide red and white stripe silk.
If that ends up a bust, I could just buy some light ivory silk duchess satin, dye some of it red, and sew strips of each color together, making my own striped fabric. This is doable, since it's trimming and not a whole dress that needs to be striped.
Images care of Costume Dramas Obsession.
Week before last, I had the pleasure of finally seeing my favorite film, Amadeus on the big screen.
I was too much of a wee thing to have seen it, or even remember it, in theaters when it came out.
ANYway, I digress;
"It's Turkish. My hairdresser says that everything this year is going to be Turkish".
;-)
Yes indeed, I want to make this dress and hat......or at least my version of it.
Admittedly while the costumes in Amadeus are great but highly questionable in historical accuracy (the women's in particular, there are zippers up the backs of the dresses for crying out loud!), this one isn't so bad.
BUT, there are issues with it. I can see her panniers poking through, the bodice is cut wrong, are there stays under there?
And if she were that fashion and trend conscious she wouldn't be wearing the old style panniers with it, she'd likely have a bum roll and the skirts might even be hitched up into a "Polonaise" if she were in the city.
I could go on and on, but it's a really fun costume and that is what carries though in the scene. The dress *is* Katerina.
One thing I do love, is that they used the Robe a la Turk concept for the dress. Note the little cap sleeves over long fitted sleeves.
So what would I do with my version?
I would keep the Robe a la Turk concept, but make it more accurate.
The front would be a zone front, as most original engravings and illustrations of this style suggest. The film version has a faux "V" front and I really don't like the way it's done. It looks like part of a high school play stage costume. As though it's just pulled tight around her torso and has built in boning rather than a separate pair of stays. Considering the rest of the costumes in the film with zippers, that is likely the case.
I do love the striped fabrics used, and the way they use them here is pretty spot on. During the late 1770s and early 80s, the more you could pile on your dress and head, the better. I've seen original fashion illustrations that support the same use of drapes and sashes on her skirt. As well, the gold bullion tassels and fringe.
And I really want a walking staff. Perhaps an easy project after a trip to Home Depot?
Hers is a little short, but perhaps that was personal preferance back then?
As for her hat and her hair style; pretty darn near perfect.
I may do a slightly different style in both hat and hair to suit my own tastes, but I'll keep the general concept and materials.
While I must be realistic, this likely won't come to fruition anytime soon. I have my gent's wardrobe to sew first, then mine, then the fun crazy stuff such as the above project.
...meanwhile I'll be hunting for the perfect wide red and white stripe silk.
If that ends up a bust, I could just buy some light ivory silk duchess satin, dye some of it red, and sew strips of each color together, making my own striped fabric. This is doable, since it's trimming and not a whole dress that needs to be striped.
Images care of Costume Dramas Obsession.
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