Fashion and movies go hand in hand. There’s no one without the other. They support and help each other remain influential and important in everyday lives.
The fashion choices on the screen are often the first thing we notice in a movie scene. This makes the job of a costume designer extra important. Knowing that the costumes will influence what we wear daily puts pressure on those who create them. Below, we’ll discuss some of the ways costume designers shape fashion these days and their influence throughout history.
Influence in the Age of Classic Hollywood
Without a doubt, movie costumes were an inspiration for fashion designers from the very beginning of cinema history. Costume designers are allowed to play with what is yet to become mainstream and put a unique piece of clothing on a character without it ever being a popular choice in the fashion world. Quite often, these costumes are ahead of their time and present something different to the audience. However, if a character or the movie is a hit, there’s a chance a new style of clothing is born with it.
The golden age of Hollywood has given us designers like Travis Banton, Adrian, and Edith Head. They portrayed the elegance and romance of movies in the 1930s and 40s and started trends like trousers with wide legs, berets, and trench coats.
Showcasing Changes in the 60s
Throughout the 1960s, we saw a period of change in the United States. The country altered its political, social, and cultural views, so it was natural for costume designs and fashion to adjust as well. Costume designers of that age weren’t afraid to try new shapes and materials in their creations, paired with geometric prints and unusual colours. Miniskirts were a new addition that quickly became popular, and icons like Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy gave audiences plenty of inspiration for their future outfits that include the shift dress, the mod style, or the pixie cut.
On top of that, the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” made Audrey Hepburn’s black dress unbelievably popular. The dress became a classic, and many different designs were influenced by it. To this day, we see designs that are reminiscent of the original dress, and it’s likely to remiain a staple, classic style for the foreseeable future.
Displaying the Disco Spirit of the 70s
Disco marked the 1970s, and naturally, this was reflected in the costumes seen on the cinema screen. The spirit of disco represents fun and freedom, and that’s what the costumes needed to do as well. Halston, Bob Mackie, and Giorgio di Sant’Angelo were the most recognised designers from the era and created outfits that allowed actors to move freely and dazzle the audience with sparkles and dance moves. Patrizia von Brandenstein also left her mark on the period, as the costume designer for Saturday Night Fever with the famous white suit she designed for John Travolta. During this period, we saw platform shoes and jumpsuits become increasingly popular, along with wrap dresses, sunglasses for men, and other dance-floor-ready pieces.
Rebelling Through Punk in the 80s
During the 1980s, most young people wanted to be rebels. The age of punk rock was in full swing, and so was the desire for individuality and freedom in making decisions. The costume designs in movies and shows reflected the rebellion of the people, and you could see plenty of energy and diversity in the creations. Jean-Paul Gultier was one of the most famous designers at the time, along with Vivienne Westwood and Stephen Sprouse. They designed outfits that challenged the norms of society and popularised the mixture of genres and ideologies. In their scenes, actors from the time wore ripped jeans, leather jackets, graffiti prints, and so on. This became quite a popular look in the 80s.
Nostalgia in the 90s and 2000s
The 1990s and the 2000s were the time to look back at those before us and their creations. Most of this period’s costume designs revisited previous trends and reinvented what was once popular. Catherine Martin and Sandy Powell were some of the biggest names in design, and in their creations, they mixed cultures, periods, and genres. It wasn’t unusual for superstars of that age to wear cowboy boots combined with punk rock elements and hippie accessories.
What Does the Future Hold?
It’s hard to predict the new fashion trends we’ll see in the future. But, chances are, we’ll see them on the big-screen first.
