I was still a student at FIDM when the first exhibit of Costumes from the movies, took place. In those days downtown was very scary and I didn’t venture much beyond FIDM or the garment district.
This masked angel greeted me daily, I always have fond warm feelings when I see her.
I haven’t seen all 24 exhibits, I’ve missed a few through the years but I have been to most of them. Sorry to say, this year was a major disappointment.
This was exciting, our friend’s daughter got five of her costumes in the show!
I didn’t see the movie, to be honest I don’t think I saw any of the movies. I do like Courtney’s designs. Of course I love the big hand knit scarf, the detail on the vest is wonderful as well. She is very good at creating costumes for that dusty, 1930’s look.
Since I really don’t know the movies, I won’t be mentioning the names. This is the first time that photography has been allowed, I guess they just gave up trying to prevent it with all the phones around Here is another scarf, can’t tell if it’s hand knit or crocheted. I like the trim on the collar of the shirt, these are the small details I find intriguing.
Everyone I know has gone gaga over the Cinderella dress. To me it was standard movie costuming – shiny fabric, not much fine detail, but I’m sure it shimmered and glowed on screen.
You can see it in the background of this dress. I found the stepsisters dresses much more interesting. The lace detail on the collar as well as on the sleeves. 
The overlay fabric is painted, not embroidered. On Screen I’m sure it read as lovely embroidery. There was another dress that was very clearly painted as well. Years ago I remember seeing many costumes like that, poor construction, paint, puffy paint, big plastic gems. And then slowly that faded away as higher definition cameras came into use, the costumes would be impeccably made – even if those watching the movie could never tell the difference.
Another lovely detail is in the reticule – or purse and of course the gloves.
I mentioned being disappointed, not only were many of the movies complete unknowns, the quality of the costumes just wasn’t exciting – from a Seamstress point of view.
The iconic images from Star Wars, it would have been so much fun had they been able to procure the original costumes, I’m sure these are much better made.
I didn’t find much excitement in the overall show. (Mad Max won for best costume??? Really??) I haven’t watched the Oscars in years, I got tired of the preening and the political pronouncements. Shut up and act, be gracious don’t be a scold. So I wasn’t surprised that this exhibit was dull and boring. Maybe they couldn’t get costumes from big movies, but they sort turned the whole show into a didactic about how the costumes inform the movie. Boring. Oh wait, last year there was an exhibit at the new Motion picture museum next to LACMA that did just that, and did it extremely well.
So I looked for details. I’m glad to see that period pieces still are very elaborate. For me, to see the inset ruched ribbon on the bodice continue down the front of the dress as a free flowing ribbon – is exciting.
Along side the movie costumes, FIDM always displays historic costumes from their permanent collection. The idea being – look to the past to inform the present. It is clear to see from this dress how the designer of the previous one created their own interest on what is a red dress. Not copying, simply being inspired.
That inspiration follows through in a modern movie. There is detail in this simple little dress that probably wasn’t dictated by the story. The little waist band and the placement of the wonderful large border. This is what I’m looking for when I come to this exhibit, to see those little touches that go unnoticed by most movie goers – but help build a more complex and fulfilling picture.
Another period piece, oh my! Look at the placement of the stripes! The attention to detail is exciting! 
Or these little wings on this suit. That takes a lot of planning as well as time and effort to create that effect. Of course I also notice the impeccable buttonholes and self fabric covered buttons.
Sometimes the detail is in the shoes. I’m not sure if when the costumes are loaned to FIDM that they come with all the accessories or if FIDM has to use their own. They have a vast collection, so that is not a problem. Although I don’t wear very high heels anymore – I would love to find shoes like these!
Most mens costumes are boring, sorry a suit is a suit. I’m pretty sure these shoes came with the ensemble because the shirt was the exact color of teal. I know Hush Puppies made two tone shoes for a while. Not sure they are fashionable anymore, but these are fancy dress shoes! Something else I’d love to see out in the world.
I’m glad I saw the exhibit, especially since I bumped into a fellow sewist in the Scholarship Store. We met two years ago at an outing that some sewing bloggers organized. Oh and yes, I did buy some knit fabric for a dress and a skirt for $6, as well as some zippers. One can never have too many zippers.
Leah