Boys On Film: Hidden Cinema Gems Dressed In Style
“fashion is a language. Some know it, some learn it, some never will- like an instinct”-Edith Head
Movies are timeless, like the way dolls are a snapshot of a culture frozen in time on a plastic 12 inch model, the same methods can be transferred to a reel of film. Yes, they are fabulous pictures made by fabulous directors, starring fabulous actors who are livening words written by the fabulous artisans of screenwriting. But the shine of gaiety for costume designers seems to be eclipsed by those who have bigger names on the movie poster unless you are a self-titled fashion know-it-all (guilty as charged on my end) who looks forward to the array of ensembles as if they were included in the supporting actors’ pool.
As a longtime lover of cinema going back to my childhood and a combined interest in glamour through these movies, I noticed that the same stories are often highlighted in terms of what great style is in film. ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ directed by David Frenkel, stars a bevy of all-star talent like Meryl and Anne Hathaway, but the real leading ladies were the regalia curated by famed costume designer Pat Field who was fresh of her tenure at ‘Sex and the City’. The movies pumped fresh blood and pulled young eyes towards fashion in a way that lent them a front row seat into a multibillion dollar industry.
But what about the features that flew past our eyes for years ? Too niche for the box office but convened cult followings of the fashion obsessed who needed a proper education in movies ? Here are my takes on some underrated pieces made for the lover of Hollywood and her carousel of dressers.
Nocturnal Animals (2016)
Tom Ford
In American designer Tom Ford’s second foray into directing, he paints a contrasting world of modern minimalist precision paralleled by the rustic grit of his home state of Texas with aid of costumer and longtime creative partner, Arianne Philips.
The movies follows a lonesome art gallery curator (played by Amy Adams) who receives a haunting manuscript from her ex-husband that serves as a twisted revenge tale.
Amy taking direction from Tom, still from the movie, a peek of pieces from the film.
Down With Love (2003)
Peyton Reed
In the zany and deliciously campy rom-com, the film serves as an homage and slight spoof of the cat and mouse love affairs portrayed in 60s pictures.
The story revolves around a suave ladykiller who finds himself sullen with a feminist self-help guru.
The designs are so keen on evocation by Daniel Orlandi nods to the works of couturier legends like Cristobal Balenciaga and Yves Saint Laurent, but still have that funk al a Bob Mackie.
Atomic Blonde (2017)
David Leitch
This sexy spy thriller is kick ass and well dressed at the same time. Imagine Jason Bourne chasing bad guys while donning a pair of Dior heels and a Saint Laurent coat and not breaking a single sweat.
Setting itself in the grim of 1980s Berlin nearing the resolve of the Cold War, a special MI6 agent is on the hunt to avenge the death of a partner while casing a double agent. The punk and posh aesthetic by Cindy Evans serves as a motif framed by a turbulent but chic Germany.
Casino (1995)
Martin Scorsese
Scorsese is a name heavy like a freight truck, his films inspire an allure into a world where gangster and glamour are the same commodity.
In this cult classic, a span of years covers the friendship of a mob boss and a casino owner. In the midst of it all, is Sharon Stone’s striking character draped in Bob Mackie and diamonds. Costume designers Rita Ryack and John A. Dunn highlighted the peak of 70s fashion while using the wanderlust of Las Vegas as the most consistent accessory.
Wearing Bob Mackie and Couregges.
Nine (2009)
Rob Marshall
In this rippling film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning musical, we follow a tortured movie director as he grapples with his declining career and the roundabout of women in his life.
Each woman representing a different facet of the cinéma vérité genius’s life provides ample room for the exploration of silhouettes and styles honed by the film’s fashion director Colleen Atwood. Nicole Kidman is a beacon of Old Hollywood which perfectly parallels Penelope Cruz’s buxom Italian siren.
