The Costume Designer's Handbook is the definitive guide for both aspiring and seasoned costume designers, blending the art and business of theatrical costume design since its inception in 1983. Rosemary Ingham and Liz Covey offer deep insights into play analysis, historical research, collaboration techniques, drafting, and setting up an effective workspace. The book addresses the practicalities of the industry, including job market navigation, freelancing, contracts, and taxes. With over 150 illustrations, an 8-page color insert, and a comprehensive reference section for resources, this handbook encapsulates the essence of costume design, making it an indispensable resource for professionals in the field.
Nearly every iconic film in the last century had one thing in common: Edith Head. From her mysterious childhood to the controversial portfolio that landed her first job in a Hollywood costume department, Jorgenson provides a sleek and sophisticated portrait of the most influential costume designer of the twentieth century.
In this exquisite volume, the intricate and beautiful fashions that have appeared in all six "Star Wars(" films are on display--from military gear to royal gowns and the iconic garbs of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader.
From the lavish productions of Hollywood's Golden Age through the high-tech blockbusters of today, the most memorable movies all have one thing in common: they rely on the magical transformations rendered by the costume designer. Whether spectacular or subtle, elaborate or barely there, a movie costume must be more than merely a perfect fit. Each costume speaks a language all its own, communicating mood, personality, and setting, and propelling the action of the movie as much as a scripted line or synthetic clap of thunder. More than a few acting careers have been launched on the basis of an unforgettable costume, and many an era defined by the intuition of a costume designer—think curvy Mae West in I'm No Angel (Travis Banton, costume designer), Judy Garland in A Star is Born (Jean Louis and Irene Sharaff, costume designers), Diane Keaton in Annie Hall (Ruth Morley, costume designer), or Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (Deborah Nadoolman Landis, costume designer). In Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design, Academy Award-nominated costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis showcases one hundred years of Hollywood's most tantalizing costumes and the characters they helped bring to life. Drawing on years of extraordinary research, Landis has uncovered both a treasure trove of costume sketches and photographs—many of them previously unpublished—and a dazzling array of first-person anecdotes that inform and enhance the images. Along the way she also provides and eye-opening, behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the costume designer's art, from its emergence as a key element of cinematic collaboration to its limitless future in the era of CGI. A lavish tribute that mingles words and images of equal luster, Dressed is one book no film and fashion lover should be without.
The King of Style: Dressing Michael Jackson is a fascinating look at the intersection of music and fashion, as well as an homage to Michael Jackson’s brilliant fusing of costume, personality, and performance to create his iconic image. Through his music, dance, and fashion, Michael Jackson created a mystique that was unique to him and recognized as such throughout the world. For five decades he mesmerized audiences—and for twenty-five of those years Michael Bush was there as Jackson’s designer, stylist, and friend, accompanying the King of Pop on his journey to becoming the King of Style. While paying homage to the original Billie Jean, Beat It, and Thriller looks that put Jackson on the fashion map, The King of Style also traces their evolution over several decades. Jackson’s penchant for the military silhouette is explored in detail, along with the trade secrets behind the sequined glove and the fencing uniform that he, Michael Bush, and Dennis Tompkins reinvented to make stage magic. It was Bush who dressed Jackson for the final time, before he was buried. Dozens of garments were left unfinished by his shocking death. The legacy of Michael Jackson lives on. An artist like none other, he transformed everything he touched—from the fabric of his clothes to his legions of fans around the world.
In The Art and Practice of Costume Design, a panel of seven designers offer a new multi-sided look at the current state and practice of theatrical costume design. Beginning with an exploration of the role of a Costume Designer, the subsequent chapters analyse and explore the psychology of dress, the principles and elements of design, how to create costume renderings, and collaboration within the production. The book also takes a look at the costume shop and the role of the designer within it, and costume design careers within theatrical and fashion industries.
Bill Travilla became a Hollywood star in his own right, thanks in large part to his premier client, actress Marilyn Monroe. Best known for designing Monroe's costumes in eight films--including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire--Travilla also lit up the silver screen with designs for Tom Mix, Ann Sheridan, Errol Flynn, Joan Crawford, Jane Russell, Paul Newman, and Joanne Woodward, among others. When the golden era of Hollywood ended, Travilla focused on running his own couture-quality business. He also found time to free-lance for television epics such as Evita, The Thorn Birds, and Dallas. One Oscar and several Emmys later, it's easy to recognize the legacy of this outstanding designer. Showcased here are many of Travilla's original sketches for the stars, along with fascinating "costume check" and publicity photos. His rise from child art prodigy to celebrated designer is chronicled, painting a wonderful portrait of his rich contributions to the motion picture, television, and fashion industries. This beautiful book will be loved by all movie buffs, Monroe fans, Hollywood collectors, fashion historians, and students of costume design.
This comprehensive guide explores the fundamental sewing methods fashion designers need and teaches professional garment construction. Chapter One introduces sewing tools and machinery (including industrial machines). It discusses how to work with patterns and explains cutting-out methods. Chapter Two is devoted to different fabrics and how they work, focusing on the construction of a garment, including fastenings and trimmings, and the use of materials to support structured pieces, such as corsets. Hand-sewing techniques and basic seams are explored in Chapter Three. Techniques are demonstrated with step-by-step photographic guides combined with technical drawings. A guide to making garment details and decorations, such as pockets, waistlines, and necklines, is found in Chapter Four. Chapter Five addresses fabric-specific techniques, for everything from lace to neoprene. The best technical approaches to use for patternmaking and construction are discussed for each fabric. Catwalk images demonstrate how these kinds of techniques are employed by designers.
The second edition of COSTUME DESIGN provides a basic introduction to costume design and takes students through the entire process of costume making, beginning with the idea for a costume to the final fit. The text is thoroughly illustrated, providing guidelines for the student for creating the figure and the costume design, examples of many styles of costume presentation, a guide to historical costume shapes, and scale drawings of the basic historical patterns with photos of them made up in muslin. Many theatre departments require all theatre majors take a course in costume design.
