FIDM Costume Exhibit

So I'm finally coming down from a majorly busy couple of months so as you can tell I'm posting more often. This happened weeks ago but I went with friends to the opening night of the FIDM costume design for film exhibit. Here are some of my favorite looks. Get this - the bright orange dress and the purple and gold showgirl outfit are from The Artist!

The Artist:

Hugo:

 

Jane Eyre:

The Help:

Cowboys vs. Aliens:

W.E.

Various:

 Water For Elephants:

Boardwalk Empire: My designs

GanGsters, loose women, and the temperance movement, Oh My!

The major issue for designing this show is that it is nearly all men. The focus of this project is to show a distinction between each mob boss and where they're from (New Jersey, Chicago & New York). New Jersey mobsters are the peacocks with jewel tones and loud patterns - the Vegas of the 1910s. Chicago is more schleppy and came from a blue collar background in dirty blacks and browns with a slightly baggier fit. They wear some patterns but for them it's all about textures like tweeds and herringbones. The New York mobsters are sleek and sharp in navy blues and blacks. If they have any pattern it would only be pinstripes.

I know most people love to design beautiful dresses, but I'm a menswear junkie. For some reason the ideas flow easier with men and the character comes bursting out. I think it's because their are clear rules and the devil is truly in the details. I enjoy designing women, but I love the men. Does it show?

Boardwalk Empire Research

Been working on designs for the pilot of Boardwalk Empire. For those who are not familiar with the show, it's about mobsters in Atlantic City on the day prohibition was instated. Lots of mob bosses, loose women, prohibition supporters and FBI officials.

Here's a sampling of some of the fantastic research I've accumulated over the past couple of weeks.

Atlantic City boardwalk and looks from 1919:

 

Parties on the night before prohibition:

Prohibition & Gangsters: