my top five oscar winners
Hello everyone,
The ACADEMY AWARDS are here!!!!!! I am so excited. I love this day mainly because I love the decadence and the fashion but also because I like to see what films are recognised for what. As you can probably guess, my favourite award is the Costume Design award. For this post I decided to look back at previous winners and pick my top 5, since 1992 (the year I was born).Here they are:
1. Gladiator (2000)
Directed by Ridley Scott
Costume Design by Janty Yates
I am a huge fan of ancient Roman history, I love anything set in Rome and I also am a big fan of an epic soundtrack written by Hans Zimmer, therefore Gladiator was already onto a winner before I had even watched it. It did not disappoint. The storyline is brutal, the acting is wonderful and the cinematography is stunning. The costumes are a stunning interpretation of ancient Roman dress in a way that is visually stunning to a contempory audience. I love it!
2. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Directed by Rob Marshall
Costume Design by Colleen Atwood
This is the film that made me want to do a costume degree in the first place. I find it so inspiring. It gives an insight into a world that I knew nothing about, and although it really isn’t historically correct, the level of research and detail is incredible. The combination of colours and patterns looks stunning on screen and along with the production design it is a visual dream.
3. Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Directed by John Madden
Costume Design Sandy Powell
This film LOVE LOVE LOVE. This is one of the first films I remember noticing the costumes. I loved the storyline and the acting, but it really made me think about history and the films interpretation of it. I remember asking my mum if that is what they actually wore, and her telling me that it was an "impression", a modern take on it. That the fabrics were modern and the techniques used to make the clothes would be different to back then. I had never really thought about anything like that and it was amazing. It really got me thinking and analysing the choices the costume designer made, and I personally think Sandy Powell made great choices.
4. The Great Gatsby
Directed by Baz Luhrmann
Costume Design by Catherine Martin
How could I not include this??? The film that took over pinterest, stimulated a whole load of 1920s inspired fashion lines, made Gatsby themed weddings a "must-do" and gave the word "party" a new (and much more extravagant) meaning. The whole film is just one big visual spectacle. The multi-coloured tailoring, dresses dripping in jewels and all that glitter makes it a dream. However it is the clever use of colour that makes it extra special for me. Each scene seems to have its own colour palette: when Gatsby meets Daisy and covers the house in flowers all the colours are pastels; the scene in the city with the affair is bright and vibrant; the big party scene at Gatsby's house is metallics, and yet they all complement each other. I am a huge fan of careful use of colour and this film demonstrates it perfectly.
5. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Directed by Peter Jackson
Costume Design by Ngila Dickson and Richard Taylor
I saved this one for last because it is my favourite film of all time. It is just wonderful in every way. The costumes, sets, cinematography, art direction, soundtrack and actors take you on a journey to middle earth, where everything is so perfectly designed it looks authentic, as if it was a real place. There is a lot a lot I could say about this film but basically it is EPIC and everybody should watch it.
If you have managed to reach this point (I'm sorry I chatted on for soooo long), then thanks very much for reading and let me know what your favourite costumes are and who you want to win this year!!
love, tiff x
DISCLAIMER: These photos are not my own. They belong to the film they come from :)
