Jacqueline Durran for "Atonement" -
A lot can be said about this signature costume piece for the movie "Atonement". At first glance (outside of context) an audience may already be able to tell that it is an evening item of clothing through the material and overall cut of garment (length in particular). The aesthetic properties of the material immediately reveal that silk is the main component. As this is a fabric usually connotes to wealth and has expensive qualities, it can also reveal the wearer's social status to be associated with upper class . This probably is more evident within the context of the film, where the character of Cecilia who wears this garment, is filmed inside an expensive looking building. The hair and accessories of this character further support that "Atonement" is a period film; Cecilia wears a hairstyle called "finger weaving" which was extremely popular during the 1920's and 30's, particularly in evening wear. The waves appear sleek and precise also reflecting the evening attire, as opposed to being worn quite loose by Cecilia earlier on in the movie during "day" scenes. Lastly I'd like to mention the role of colour of the garment. According to an interview with Jacqueline Durran (costume designer for this movie) conducted by the magazine Harper's Bazaar, the brief given was "It has to be green and it has to be good". The reason for the colouring was to reflect the jealousy felt by another character for Cecilia. In my perspective "Atonement" is a very emotionally driven film, and jealousy is one of the key emotions that intertwines with the future of the characters. Therefore I can understand the choice of the representation of jealousy through this garment.
The cut of the dress was "designed to be a barely-there dress, with its bare back and thin straps" (to quote Jacqueline), this was for the purpose of being a metaphor of the "heat that physically and psychologically dominates the film".
Deborah L. Scott for "Titanic"
This is one of the many outfits in Titanic that managed to win the designer- D.L. Scott awards for best costume. It provides us with a first impression of the character of Rose, which is a vital costume to get right in movie production, so I believe. The style of the outfit informs the audience that this is a period film, regardless of whether they can identify the exact time frame solely from the costume. The statement hat, fashionable suit and parasol support this in addition to Rose being an upper class character, also evident from the arrival in a car which was a luxury for those who could afford it at the time. The suit that Rose wears was the height of fashion at this period in time, when masculine clothing only just begun to seep through into women's wardrobe. The high waist line was also a trend, thus further informing the audience that Rose is a character who can afford to be fashionable. To go more in depth in reference to the choice of pattern, the stripes could be used to reflect one of the key aspects of the character. Stripes resemble bars of prison cells, thus reflecting this idea explored in the film, of Rose being trapped to lead a life she doesn't want for herself. Simultaneously the stripes and choice of colour for the outfit resemble nautical clothing, and at the time (1912) dressing for the occasion was another luxury and opportunity to flaunt wealth amongst the upper class society.
Danilo Donati - "Romeo & Juliet" {1968}
Juliet appears in this crimson gown for the first time to be seen by Romeo, at the masked ball in the house of Capulet. This colour can cover most of the dominating emotions of Romeo & Juliet: It symbolises the future passion between R & J, the sacrifice of themselves to one another,the danger of their relationship to their own lives ans finally the hate of the two families. I think the most obvious connotation to this colour in this context is the foreshadowing of the love between Romeo & Juliet. Also Donati uses very rich fabrics for this costume thus informing us that the family of Capulet is of noble blood and wealthy. In terms of the importance of character I noticed that throughout the movie Juliet and Lady & Lord Capulet are really the only characters who wear a bold shade of red, which signifies that they are the main members of the Capulet family, some of the main characters in the movie and also directly related to each other. Whilst Lady & Lord Capulet wear a deeper tone of red, Juliet is seen in this photo to be wearing a really bright shade, probably to reflect her youthful age and potential for love. Within the ballroom scene, Romeo wears a blue outfit. Later on in the movie during the marriage of the two lead roles, you may note the theme of the colour lilac in both their outfits. Despite the fact that it's not a deep shade of purple it's still within the hue, and can be perceived to reflect the union of R & J through marriage. Lastly I'd like to mention the significance of religion in Juliet's attire in this photo. Not only does the jewelled Christian cross she wears support her Christian faith, but again the crimson red also. According to Wikipedia "Red is the liturgical colour for the feast of martyrs, representing the blood of those who suffered death for their faith" which could possibly be echoed through Juliet's clothing to resemble the same blood suffered by her for her faith in her true love for Romeo.
Kym Barrett - "Romeo & Juliet" (1996)
In complete contrast to the representation of Juliet in the 1968 version, Kym Barrett dresses this version of Juliet in a white angel like costume as evident in the photo on the left, although the connotations to religion and faith are just as strong. I think in this 1996 representation, Juliet's innocence is highlighted through the angelic connotations of her costume. The colour not only depicts innocence and religious faith, but also vulnerability. In this sense vulnerability and innocence could be presented as reasons for her falling in love so quickly. Despite the different representations there are some similarities; for example the "halo" worn in this version as a hairstyle and in the previous version as a golden head piece adorned with small red crystals.Another similarity that both Juliet's share is the Christian cross worn as a necklace. Overall this costume depicts a young and innocent girl as opposed to the other representation of Juliet as the same young girl only less focused on her arguable innocence than her ability to love Romeo. Personally I find the 1968 version of Juliet most accurate through costume.
This is one of the many outfits in Titanic that managed to win the designer- D.L. Scott awards for best costume. It provides us with a first impression of the character of Rose, which is a vital costume to get right in movie production, so I believe. The style of the outfit informs the audience that this is a period film, regardless of whether they can identify the exact time frame solely from the costume. The statement hat, fashionable suit and parasol support this in addition to Rose being an upper class character, also evident from the arrival in a car which was a luxury for those who could afford it at the time. The suit that Rose wears was the height of fashion at this period in time, when masculine clothing only just begun to seep through into women's wardrobe. The high waist line was also a trend, thus further informing the audience that Rose is a character who can afford to be fashionable. To go more in depth in reference to the choice of pattern, the stripes could be used to reflect one of the key aspects of the character. Stripes resemble bars of prison cells, thus reflecting this idea explored in the film, of Rose being trapped to lead a life she doesn't want for herself. Simultaneously the stripes and choice of colour for the outfit resemble nautical clothing, and at the time (1912) dressing for the occasion was another luxury and opportunity to flaunt wealth amongst the upper class society.
Kym Barrett - "Romeo & Juliet" (1996) In complete contrast to the representation of Juliet in the 1968 version, Kym Barrett dresses this version of Juliet in a white angel like costume as evident in the photo on the left, although the connotations to religion and faith are just as strong. I think in this 1996 representation, Juliet's innocence is highlighted through the angelic connotations of her costume. The colour not only depicts innocence and religious faith, but also vulnerability. In this sense vulnerability and innocence could be presented as reasons for her falling in love so quickly. Despite the different representations there are some similarities; for example the "halo" worn in this version as a hairstyle and in the previous version as a golden head piece adorned with small red crystals.Another similarity that both Juliet's share is the Christian cross worn as a necklace. Overall this costume depicts a young and innocent girl as opposed to the other representation of Juliet as the same young girl only less focused on her arguable innocence than her ability to love Romeo. Personally I find the 1968 version of Juliet most accurate through costume.
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