The secret behind costume design is it’s not about the clothes. We are all about substance over style.
– Dr. Deborah Nadoolman Landis, Hollywood costume designer.
Dr. Landis is a professor of costume design as well as a celebrated Hollywood costume designer. Recently she was Senior Guest Curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London for the Hollywood Costume exhibit running now through January 27, 2013.
It took five years to track down 100 costumes from studios, actors, and private collectors. There are pieces from such iconic films as Hello Dolly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Blues Brothers, Indiana Jones, Saturday Night Fever, and Titanic. Dr. Landis says, “What’s represented in the galleries is really costume archeology.”
The oldest costume displayed is the rather tattered tuxedo Charlie Chaplin sported in 1915 film, The Tramp.
There’s a lot of buzz in London about this exhibit with patient attendees waiting 45 minutes in long queues just to get tickets. But there’s plenty to see online as well. Check it out.
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