FIDM’s 2020 movie costume exhibit is now in its 28th year. Its real name is the Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design and the exhibit was full of eye candy
It’s not just Oscar-nominated films that are on display, but the exhibit does coincide with the Academy Awards. So the nominees and award winners are all present.
I didn’t blog about it last year (my first year attending the exhibit) but I was awed by all the wonderful costumes. Black Panther took center stage at that show, as it rightfully should have.
This year center stage was reserved for the beautifully over-the-top Swarvoski-crystal laden Rocketman. It wasn’t the winner of the Academy Award for Best Costume. It wasn’t even nominated!
Which is a damn shame! Just look at these marvelous costumes!
Look closely at the red shoes. Even they’re covered with crystals!
The list of nominees is…baffling. The costumes from each of these movies were kind of plain.
2020 Oscar Nominees for Costume Design
To wit, here’s the list of nominated movies, along with the costumers behind each movie.
The Irishman – Sandy Powell and Christopher Peterson
Jojo Rabbit – Mayes C. Rubeo
Joker – Mark Bridges
Winner: Little Women – Jacqueline Durran
Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood – Arianne Phillips
They’re all fine. But in a year when there was Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Maleficient: Mistress of Evil, Dumbo, Aladdin, and exquisite period pieces like Harriet, My Name is Dolomite, Downton Abbey, and freaking Rocketman, it feels real…weak.
Margot Robbie’s snakeskin-printed leather outfit from Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood is pretty damn cool. The rest of it nominated movie costumes? Blah.
So let’s look at the really cool stuff. I have to split this into 2 parts because there are SO MANY pictures to enjoy!! And because I sew I’m always fascinated by the seamlines of costumes. Basically, how are they put together?
The following are part 1 of 2019’s movies to watch if only for the clothes!
Movie Costumes from The Aeronauts
These outfits from The Aeronauts worn by Felicity Jones, for example. There is an embellished ombre dress and a gorgeous fitted brown flight jacket. I love the jacket. Now THAT’s a stunner!
See how the sleeve is puffy at the top, and the waist darts curve around the body? One of the darts even looks like it originates from the facing stitching.
The more I look at this the more I find things to love. The two-tone sleeve, then the leather-bound cuff, ALL. THOSE. BUTTONS. Not to mention the peplum. I think I need a jacket like this.
Movie Costumes from Maleficient: Mistress of Evil
The Maleficient costumes were incredibly ornate, and a few of them looked really heavy. Especially Michelle Pfeiffer’s Queen costumes. The silver one, in particular, reminded me of the Game of Thrones costumes from the TV exhibit last fall.
In contrast, Elle Fanning’s Aurora costumes are light and ethereal. This blue and lavender one is made of what looks like organza and lace. And you can see how delicate it is from this up close view of the lace.
Movie Costumes from Dumbo
These pieces from Dumbo are gorgeous.
My favorite is the purple/green ensemble. Look at those peacock feathers! And the tassels on the sleeve! Exquisite!
The draping around the hips though…
By the way, the Dumbo costumes were directly next to Little Women, so the disparity between the two was quite striking.
More Movie Costumes
It was also great to see a bit of nostalgia in the single A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood costume. It’s Mr. Rodgers’ iconic cardigan and khaki pants.
And because I had just seen it that weekend, these costumes from Last Christmas (by the way, spoiler: that is NOT a rom-com!!)
Check out the thigh-high slits on the cheongsam.
And Emilia Clarke’s dress is far cry from her Queen Dany ensembles and much more like a hacked Orchid Midi. Which I might have to recreate!
The 2020 movie costume exhibit is ongoing until March 21st. So if you’re in the Los Angeles area, I HIGHLY recommend getting to it! More details on FIDM’s site: 28th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design.
And come back next week for Part 2 of this exciting exhibit!
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