When you think of the most iconic fashion moments in film, Audrey Hepburn’s classic ensemble of black dress, black gloves and pearls or Marilyn Monroe surrounded by billowing white tend to come to mind. But aside from the more obvious fashion moments, what are the greatest costumes to feature on the big screen?
Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz in Clueless, 1995
The 1995 film created a fashion hybrid- think school girl meets D&G pin up- with miniskirts, wedding-guest style headwear and knee high socks all being staple pieces. The outfit which stole the show was Cher’s plaid mustard two-piece, complete with matching best friend in tow. Almost twenty years on, it is still used as inspiration by 21st century fashionistas, with Iggy Azalea recreating the look in her 2014 music video for ‘Fancy’.
Image: Glamour
Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, 2013
When you think of The Hunger Games I imagine you don’t tend to think iconic fashion. However, let’s not forget Katniss Everdeen’s wedding dress. Custom made by Indonesian designer Tex Saverio, the dress features a Swarovski-crystal-clad organza corset, together with plumes of laser-cut feathers and layers of chiffon ruffles, all of which contribute to its weight of almost eleven kilograms! The film also features a number of Alexander McQueen designs which brilliantly amalgamate the sense of beauty and apocalypse embodied by the film.
Image: https://latimesherocomplex.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/catchingfire-3.jpg
Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby, 1974
A film set in the decade of decadence, The Great Gatsby was always going to be an opportunity to showcase fashion’s fineries. The 20’s bought the beginning of a new movement in fashion, driven by Coco Chanel, which combined comfort with elegance. Mia Farrow’s stunning silver evening gown expressed this modern styling perfectly, with it’s loose fit juxtaposed by the heavy beading and sequin embellishment. Her matching head dress and fur shawl made it an outfit to be remembered.
Image: Everett/REX Shutterstock
Diane Keaton as Annie Hall in Annie Hall, 1977
The fact that the ‘Annie Hall’ style remains current today is the reason the fashion choices in a film released almost forty years ago, have become iconic. What makes her androgynous, girl-meets-boy outfits even more striking is that Diane Keaton was wearing the exact same thing in real life too.
Gwyneth Paltrow as Margot Tenebaum in The Royal Tenenbaums, 2001
Margot’s timeless ‘uniform’ of fur-coat, bass loafers and Hermes bag are still the envy of every girl today, and that is no surprise when the fur-coat is a Fendi one-off created after costume creator Karen Patch sent a sketch to the designer. If you are thinking of stealing her look, it won’t be complete without the sleek blunt bob, which is oh-so fashionable right now.
Image: Styleblend
Faye Dunaway as Bonnie in Bonnie and Clyde 1967
What could be better than a film where the fashion is as thrilling as the action? Costume designer Theadora Van Runkle, won an Oscar nomination for creating such a stunning visual element to the film. Bonnie’s attire of A-line skirts and loose fitting shirts, finished off with a beret and neckerchief prompted a fashion revolution when the film was released in 1967.
Image: Thebeardemporium
Frankie Cooke