FIDM: Television Costume Design Exhibition

For the past two months, I had the privilege to assist on The 6th Annual Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design exhibition curated by the President of The Costume Designers Guild, the lovely Mary Rose. The opening gala was held this past weekend. It was a wonderful event filled with cocktails, industry professionals and lots of appreciation for what costume designers do best, tell stories through their designs.

The displays were breathtaking. Whether you are a fan of a period show like Boardwalk Empire, Pan Am or a contemporary show like Pretty Little Liars, one couldn't help but feel an emotional connection to their favorite character's costumes.

Calisi from Game of Thrones and Lady Sybil Crawley from Downton Abbey are some of my favorite leading ladies on a television series. They are both fearless and unbreakable. These are the type of characters I get excited about when I am breaking down a script.

Magic City was another great layout that I loved. I helped build the paper wigs for most of the displays including this one. I learned a great technique from a wonderful costume designer, who gave me a crash course on building wigs with watercolor paper, scissors, and glue dots. It was so much fun, maybe this will be a great DIY blog post soon.

Last but not least, I leave you with these beautiful and whimsical costumes from Once Upon a Time. Working on this exhibition was such an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to work with some of the best costume designers and guild members. If you haven't already done so, make sure to visit this exhibition sometime between now and October 20, 2012.

From Top to Bottom: Boardwalk Empire designed by John A. Dunn, Pan Am designed by Ann Crabtree (pilot designed by Chrisi Karvonides-Dushenko), Game of Thrones designed by Michele Clapton, Downton Abbey designed by Susannah Buxton and Rosalind Ebbutt, Magic City designed by Carol Ramsey and Once Upon a Time designed by Eduardo Castro.

Costume Designer Sonia Grande

In her Academy Award winning role as Maria Elena in Vicky Christina Barcelona.

One of my favorite costumes in Broken Embraces. She plays the beautiful Magdalena.

In Broken Embraces again. Her character plays an aspiring actress.

So seductive in her role as actress Lupe Sino in A Matador's Mistress.

She had so many looks in Broken Embraces. I love her hair in this scene.

Sonia Grande is one of my favorite costume designers. This Spanish designer has frequently collaborated with some of my favorite directors like Pedro Almodovar and Woody Allen. She is also responsible for the many looks of Penelope Cruz in award winning films like Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Broken Embraces. Like many costume designers, she started her career in theater and later transitioned into films. In an interview with Elle magazine, Sonia talks about Penelope, "Her compliant and versatile nature, her mysterious gaze, and her talent provoke an enormous curiosity in me." Sonia Grande is such a brilliant costume designer. In 1999 she won her first Goya Award, which is considered to be the Spanish equivalent to the Academy Awards, for her work in La nina de tus ojos. I can't wait to see her next film and I hope Penelope Cruz stars in it.

Comic-Con

Is anyone going to Comic Con this week in San Diego? This year I am attending as part of the Costume Designers Guild Committee. I have never been to Comic Con before and I am very excited to attend. I can't wait to see all the fans dress up in their eccentric costumes. As a way to honor all the hard work that goes into creating costumes, the Guild put together a Costume Designer Panel for Television and Film. They will both be held on different nights. If you are in San Diego and do decide to attend make sure to join us. In the meanwhile enjoy some vintage Catwoman circa 1966. Isn't Lee Meriwether lovely?

Television Panelists:

Friday July 13, 2012

Room 32AB

6:30 - 7:30

Costume Designers

Chrisi Karvonides - American Horror Story

Jenni Gullett - Fringe

Audrey Fisher - True Blood

Illustrators

Imogene Chayes - True Blood, American Horror Story

Film Panelists

Saturday July 14, 2012

Room 24ABC

5:00 - 6:00

Costume Designers

Shawna Trpcic - The Cabin in the Woods

Lisa Tomczeszyn - X-Men, Punisher

Mayes Rubeo - John Carter

Illustrators

Christian Cordella - Snow White and the Huntsman

Constantine Sekeris- Green Lantern, Thor

Rosi Gabi - xXx, Mission to Mars

Brian Venezuela - Star Trek, The Sorcerer's Apprentice

Philip Boute - Inception, Captain America

Style in the Movies

On March 28 TCM and Bloomingdales (Beverly Center) hosted Style in the Movies: A Celebration of Costume Design with costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis and Los Angeles Times fashion critic Booth Moore.

It was a lovely evening filled with music, classic films, fashion and fancy cocktails. The event was mostly a Q&A with Debra Nadoolman Landis and a fashion retrospective on Hollywood glamour. She discussed the work of costume designers and how they have influenced the world of fashion. 

Her book Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design was also on sale at this event. I finally got my copy! This book is beautiful and it has officially become my coffee table book.

This amazing band was jamming classic movie tunes! Overall, Bloomingdales and TCM put together a very sophisticated event for classic movie lovers!!

Vintage Love

Color coordinated dresses at Jet Rag. Dresses, skirts and blouses are separated by decades. 

A great selection of men's clothing, period shoes and hats. Everything is neatly organized. 

A beautiful crown I spotted at the Rose Bowl Flea Market. You never know when you might have to costume a king.

 I am always doing research. Flea Markets are a great place to find books that are out of print.

I spent my weekend shopping at the Pasadena Rose Bowl Flea Market and Jet Rag, a vintage shop on La Brea. Part of my job as costume designer is to shop for very specific items. If I am designing a period film, I always start my shopping at flea markets. Although flea markets are sometimes a bit of scavenger hunt, I always seem to walk out with most interesting pieces. Jet Rag is one of my favorite vintage shops in Los Angeles, it's a one stop shop, or at least for me. The owner did a great job merchandising the store. Everything is coordinated by color, item and period. Another great thing about this shop is their grand selection of headwear and children's clothing, which can be a challenge to find sometimes.