FIDM.....FIDM Museum 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibit

Costume Gala:

Flapper Fab: Academy Award-nominated "The Artist" Costumes by Costume Designer Mark Bridges, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries

In 1993, FIDM Museum & Galleries launched an exhibition that would evolve into an institution. The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition has become the largest annual curated exhibition dedicated to the presentation of film costumes in the world! This past Saturday was the Opening Night Party to celebrate the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and FIDM Museum & Galleries honoring this past year in Motion Picture Costumes. I was honored to have been invited to this "Gala" and join in for an exclusive peak at this wondrous exhibit, which features over 100 costumes from 20+ films, including "The Help", "Captain America", "Thor", "Immortals" and of course, the five Academy Award Nominees for Best Costume Design: "Anonymous", "The Artist", "Hugo", Jane Eyre" and "W.E.". The Exhibit opened officially on Valentine's Day, Tuesday February 14th, it's FREE and will be going on until April 28th. Here is a "Taste" of those 5 Academy Award-nominated Costumes on display:

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Anonymous" Costumes designed by Lisy Christl--The film is set in the 16th century Elizabethan era and revolves around the question "Was William Shakespeare a Fraud?" with the backdrop of the tempestuous reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Five costumes from the movie are on display including two dresses for the character of "Queen Elizabeth I" worn by actresses Vanessa Redgrave and her daughter Joely Richardson. I did a fun "Costume Piece blog" for Lifetime.com for the "Anonymous" costumes which you can read HERE.

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"The Artist" Costumes designed by Mark Bridges--We all know "The Artist" is a black and white film--so it is a great surprise to come to this Exhibition and see COLOR! Notice the dress on the far left of the photograph above and its bright orange-coral color. This is how the dress looked in the film: Yep, medium-gray! Well, in addition to being surprised by the "pop" of color in these costumes, it's also great to see the delicate gold jacquard, brocade and jeweled sequined dresses in this "The Artist" tableaux. And did I mention those cloche hats are especially FAB when you're standing 5 feet away from them?! The costume designer told me that while most of the dresses were made just for the film, those hats were all vintage.

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Hugo" Costumes designed by Sandy Powell--Costume Designer Sandy Powell said she had over 1,000 costumes to oversee for the Martin Scorsese film "Hugo". There are five at the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, including the "Station Inspector" worn by actor Sacha Baron Cohen; an olive Shakespearean-inspired costume worn by Ben Kinsley and a jacket-sweater and shorts ensemble worn by young actor Asa Butterfield who played "Hugo".

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"Jane Eyre" Costumes designed by Michael O'Connor: The book was originally written and set in the 1830's but according to the Costume Designer and the Director of the film, they both really disliked that time period in terms of women's fashions (they were big and unflattering "puff cake" gowns), therefore they changed the time to a decade later, the 1840's. The costumes for "Jane Eyre" are both restrained yet very intricate. You HAVE to go to the FIDM Museum to really appreciate the minute details, intricate laces, the seaming and pleating that one might miss on the "big screen". And Finally...

Photo courtesy of abimages.com

"W.E." Costumes designed by Arianne Phillips--The Madonna-directed film, "W.E." tells the love story between American divorcee Wallis (W) Simpson and Edward (E), Prince of Wales , who eventually abdicated the throne of England in exchange for marrying the one love of his life. Wallis was fashion-obsessed and loved wearing designs from all the top Paris Couture Houses. Costume Designer Arianne Phillips collaborated with the Houses of Dior, Vionnet and others to have them recreate dresses and gowns that Wallis Simpson had ordered from them--and worn.

Arianne Phillips, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Phillips was in attendance, giving press and party guests alike bountiful "insider information" on the beautiful costumes she designed for the film-as well as how she got Cartier to make reproductions of Wallis Simpson's fabulous jewels. It was wonderful seeing her and congratulating her in person for the GORGEOUS Costumes and for getting the Academy Award Best Costume Design nomination. Oh, and yes, PS: Arianne looked FABULOUS! You can read a little more background on the costumes and comparing them to the actual photographs of Wallis Simpson and Edward which I wrote HERE last April. Guest Chic: Also looking fabulous were (Left to Right) Rose Apodaca (loving the turban!), co-founder of A+R, fashion journalist, former West Coast Editor of WWD, author of "A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty and Everything Glamour" and most recently, the "Fred Hayman: The Extraordinary Difference" and N. Jayne Seward (loving the shoes!), fashion editor of the California Apparel News and Very Very Chic diva.

LA Designer Twosome: Nick Verreos with Kevan Hall, 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition, FIDM Museum & Galleries (Photo courtesy of abimages.com)

Here is all the Information on the Exhibition: *WHAT: 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition *WHERE: FIDM Museum & Galleries Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 919 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90015 *WHEN: February 14-April 28 *HOURS/Phone No.: Tuesday through Saturday 10AM-4PM, 213-623-5821 Click Below for a great video from KABC 7 showcasing the 20th Annual Art of Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition at FIDM Museum & Galleries: