TV shows on the independent channels, like Netflix and Amazon, are so much better than movies these days. The same can be said about the costuming for TV shows. FIDM has been putting on the movie costume show for 26 years, the TV Costume show is celebrating it’s the tenth year, and it is so much better than the movie show.I’ll start with Outlander. No, I haven’t seen the show, I hated the first book and left it at that. But this isn’t about the show itself, it’s about the costumes. I was with my friend Ruth who taught costume design, she thought she was boring me with the details. I loved it. She said the 18th-century silhouette is here and is captured beautifully. As for the embroidery – that is a modern embellishment.This man’s waistcoat is a sight to behold.From the embroidered images I’m thinking bad guy? The Designer certainly knows her illuminated manuscripts very well. Both the bird and the bat are straight from medieval European manuscriptsNo one ever saw those teeth on TV, which is why these shows are so wonderful, getting such a close-up view of very well made costumes.Since Cumberbatch wasn’t part of the show, the only thing we care about is the Deer Stalker hat – that wasn’t in any of the books.I think this was mid to late 19th century. Of course, for me, it’s about the details.20’s style dress, great use of bias tape.Ruth complained about this set, it will look flat on camera she said. She is right, here is my image from my camera and the dresses have no depth, even though they have great detail in real life.Fantasy shows are always fun (I think this is from Defiance) take the Scottish Highland outfit, kilt and all, but knock it up about ten notches. Wool, leather, snakeskin, an amulet from the Himalayas (or a facsimile of one). Once again, a pleasure to see up close.The joy of Sci-fi is as much in the costumes as in the story.Someone had a lot of fun working this leather.Someone else had a blast distressing all of these items of clothing. This I do know is from the Walking Dead. But was it worn by a zombie or someone trying desperately to stay alive?Killer nails, fake of course but part of the hand, not the glove, the glove has holes at the tips of the nails.Men’s costumes rarely get the love the ladies receive. So I’m always looking at the details. I’m thinking this would fly off the shelves given half a chance.
The show is running through October, do yourself a favor and go!
Leah