The joy of achieving a certain je ne sais quoi gleams in Anthony Fabian’s heartwarming “Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris,” in theaters July 15, about a widowed ’50s-era cleaning lady—Lesley Manville’s affable Ada Harris — as she travels from London to Paris to purchase a Christian Dior gown. Designing the intricate costumes with exact Dior replicas was the job of Jenny Beavan, in another couture-centric film after her Oscar-winning designs for “Cruella.”
As a storyteller in her own right, Beavan was charmed by Mrs. Harris as a brave, hardworking woman pursuing her dreams. Portraying those with accuracy meant deep archival research, as well as a close collaboration with the House of Dior and its leading archivist, Soizic Pfaff.
Beavan was able to borrow five pieces from Dior’s Heritage collection for the movie’s central fashion show that Mrs. Harris attends to pick her eventual dress. They were mostly black-and-white frocks,...
As a storyteller in her own right, Beavan was charmed by Mrs. Harris as a brave, hardworking woman pursuing her dreams. Portraying those with accuracy meant deep archival research, as well as a close collaboration with the House of Dior and its leading archivist, Soizic Pfaff.
Beavan was able to borrow five pieces from Dior’s Heritage collection for the movie’s central fashion show that Mrs. Harris attends to pick her eventual dress. They were mostly black-and-white frocks,...
- 7/15/2022
- by Tomris Laffly
- Variety Film + TV
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For the new Focus Features film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, based on Paul Gallico’s 1958 novel, costume designer Jenny Beavan takes on re-creating the looks of the legendary Christian Dior, who revolutionized fashion in 1947 with the introduction of his sumptuous wasp-waisted, full-skirted and rounded-shoulder “New Look” silhouette.
“Oh gosh, it was a really tough one,” says Beavan, about balancing the depiction of a captivating story and Dior’s enduringly influential design, which serves as a central plot device in the Anthony Fabian-directed fashion fable.
In 1957 London, brokenhearted housekeeper Ada Harris (Lesley Manville) is mesmerized by her aristocratic employer’s floral-appliquéd Dior gown, christened “Ravissante.” The glimmering confection serves as a sartorial catalyst for Mrs. Harris, still mourning her husband’s WWII disappearance, to feel love again as she embarks on a Parisian adventure to secure her own Dior.
The dress needed to enchant the flower-loving Mrs.
For the new Focus Features film Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, based on Paul Gallico’s 1958 novel, costume designer Jenny Beavan takes on re-creating the looks of the legendary Christian Dior, who revolutionized fashion in 1947 with the introduction of his sumptuous wasp-waisted, full-skirted and rounded-shoulder “New Look” silhouette.
“Oh gosh, it was a really tough one,” says Beavan, about balancing the depiction of a captivating story and Dior’s enduringly influential design, which serves as a central plot device in the Anthony Fabian-directed fashion fable.
In 1957 London, brokenhearted housekeeper Ada Harris (Lesley Manville) is mesmerized by her aristocratic employer’s floral-appliquéd Dior gown, christened “Ravissante.” The glimmering confection serves as a sartorial catalyst for Mrs. Harris, still mourning her husband’s WWII disappearance, to feel love again as she embarks on a Parisian adventure to secure her own Dior.
The dress needed to enchant the flower-loving Mrs.
- 7/14/2022
- by Fawnia Soo Hoo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Kate's back! A smiling Princess Kate joined husband Prince William on official duty Tuesday at the request of Queen Elizabeth, and beamed with delight at well wishers watching her arrival back on the royal stage. The couple had the privileged job of welcoming the president of Singapore, Tony Tan Keng Yam, to London at a hotel just yards from their home at Kensington Palace. For Kate, who wore a grey Alexander McQueen coat and matching hat by Jane Taylor, it was her first public appearance since her pregnancy was announced - and a welcome moment out and about. "I've been...
- 10/21/2014
- by Simon Perry, @SPerryPeoplemag
- PEOPLE.com
Without pretending this will be as exhaustive as the Clothes on Film costume guide (parts One and Two) for Sherlock Holmes (2009), here we go with a lighter, though still hopefully informative analysis of its sequel, A Game of Shadows (2011, directed by Guy Ritchie). Again the film’s costume designer has lent a hand, and again Oscar winner Jenny Beavan needs no further introduction. So not pausing for backstory or padding and on the assumption of spoilers ahead, let us begin…
John Watson (Jude Law) is introduced first sitting at his desk in a grey herringbone tweed waistcoat, white striped stiff collar shirt and brown patterned necktie. Always in tweed, he is immediately recognisable as Law’s Watson. The only item missing is his brown coachman’s hat, which as the story flashes back several weeks prior soon makes its debut.
With just a hint of colourfully attired extras in a crowded London street,...
John Watson (Jude Law) is introduced first sitting at his desk in a grey herringbone tweed waistcoat, white striped stiff collar shirt and brown patterned necktie. Always in tweed, he is immediately recognisable as Law’s Watson. The only item missing is his brown coachman’s hat, which as the story flashes back several weeks prior soon makes its debut.
With just a hint of colourfully attired extras in a crowded London street,...
- 6/22/2012
- by Chris Laverty
- Clothes on Film
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We have six months to wait until Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows starring Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Doctor Watson hits cinema screens, but in a recent, brief interview with Clothes on Film, costume designer Jenny Beavan exclusively spills the beans on what we can expect to see in the finished movie.
In addition to being costume designer on the first Guy Ritchie directed Sherlock Holmes adaptation in 2009 (of which you can read more the costumes Here), Jenny Beavan was also recently Oscar nominated for her work on The Kings Speech. Evidently adept at bringing period clothing to life and broadly interpreting character (just how much does Holmes’ tatty dressing gown say about him?), Beavan has already created a colourful, innovative interpretation of late Victorian costume.
We have six months to wait until Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows starring Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Doctor Watson hits cinema screens, but in a recent, brief interview with Clothes on Film, costume designer Jenny Beavan exclusively spills the beans on what we can expect to see in the finished movie.
In addition to being costume designer on the first Guy Ritchie directed Sherlock Holmes adaptation in 2009 (of which you can read more the costumes Here), Jenny Beavan was also recently Oscar nominated for her work on The Kings Speech. Evidently adept at bringing period clothing to life and broadly interpreting character (just how much does Holmes’ tatty dressing gown say about him?), Beavan has already created a colourful, innovative interpretation of late Victorian costume.
- 5/4/2011
- by Chris Laverty
- Clothes on Film
Part two of a new Double Feature film review with Maggie from The Costumer’s Guide.
The Young Victoria was a costume flick I’d been looking forward to ever since the first promo pics came out. This is for several reasons – one is that I’d read some great historical fiction about the young Victoria by Jean Plaidy. (She’s got a great reputation as a writer and I think she really captures Victoria and her life. If you’re interested, they are The Captive of Kensington Palace, The Queen and Lord M, The Queen’s Husband, and The Widow of Windsor).
But we’re talking costumes. A second reason I was looking forward to this movie was that Sandy Powell was the costume designer. While I didn’t love The Other Boleyn Girl, I will always adore Shakespeare in Love. I always enjoy seeing what Sandy Powell will do next.
The Young Victoria was a costume flick I’d been looking forward to ever since the first promo pics came out. This is for several reasons – one is that I’d read some great historical fiction about the young Victoria by Jean Plaidy. (She’s got a great reputation as a writer and I think she really captures Victoria and her life. If you’re interested, they are The Captive of Kensington Palace, The Queen and Lord M, The Queen’s Husband, and The Widow of Windsor).
But we’re talking costumes. A second reason I was looking forward to this movie was that Sandy Powell was the costume designer. While I didn’t love The Other Boleyn Girl, I will always adore Shakespeare in Love. I always enjoy seeing what Sandy Powell will do next.
- 7/29/2010
- by Maggie
- Clothes on Film
Second and final part in our sartorial analysis of Sherlock Holmes (2009), complete with insight from costume designer Jenny Beavan.
Excited by the mystery of Lord Blackwood’s apparent ‘resurrection’, Holmes actually makes a genuine effort to appear neat for once (the restaurant date does not count as he was prompted).
Holmes strolls into the cemetery beside Watson and Constable Clark wearing a black single breasted whale cord frock coat, high fastening with stand collar waistcoat in green and gold flower pattern silk, striped silk scarf, light grey pinstripe trousers, white shirt with unbuttoned cuffs, wideawake hat (too wide a brim for a trilby, too soft for a homburg) and round-framed sunglasses. These are unquestionably a modern version; gold-rimmed ‘teashades’, which are generally similar in design to Victorian ‘cinder glasses’ as used for protection during early rail travel.
Holmes radiates bohemian. For the first time we get the impression that maybe...
Excited by the mystery of Lord Blackwood’s apparent ‘resurrection’, Holmes actually makes a genuine effort to appear neat for once (the restaurant date does not count as he was prompted).
Holmes strolls into the cemetery beside Watson and Constable Clark wearing a black single breasted whale cord frock coat, high fastening with stand collar waistcoat in green and gold flower pattern silk, striped silk scarf, light grey pinstripe trousers, white shirt with unbuttoned cuffs, wideawake hat (too wide a brim for a trilby, too soft for a homburg) and round-framed sunglasses. These are unquestionably a modern version; gold-rimmed ‘teashades’, which are generally similar in design to Victorian ‘cinder glasses’ as used for protection during early rail travel.
Holmes radiates bohemian. For the first time we get the impression that maybe...
- 5/20/2010
- by Chris Laverty
- Clothes on Film
Although he was spotted sitting in the front row at the Victoria's Secret 2009 Fashion Show in New York on Thursday, November 19, rap mogul Jay-z reportedly wouldn't walk the red carpet or pose with the models because of wife Beyonce Knowles. According to New York Post's gossip column Page Six, he avoided the lingerie models to show his respect to the songstress.
Explaining the situation, a source shared, "Victoria's Secret begged, but Jay-z refused ... he explained it was out of respect for Beyonce." The source went on to reveal that the 39-year-old even got a private booth at M2, where the after-party was thrown by Microsoft's Bing, "so he could keep his distance from models including Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Chanel Iman, Miranda Kerr and Heidi Klum."
The Annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has taken place at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City this year. It saw a surprise...
Explaining the situation, a source shared, "Victoria's Secret begged, but Jay-z refused ... he explained it was out of respect for Beyonce." The source went on to reveal that the 39-year-old even got a private booth at M2, where the after-party was thrown by Microsoft's Bing, "so he could keep his distance from models including Alessandra Ambrosio, Selita Ebanks, Chanel Iman, Miranda Kerr and Heidi Klum."
The Annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has taken place at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City this year. It saw a surprise...
- 11/23/2009
- by celebrity-mania.com
- Celebrity Mania
Although she had just given birth to her fourth child in October, Heidi Klum didn't miss the chance to walk on the catwalk of 2009 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. On Thursday night, November 19 at the 69th Regiment Armory in New York City, the model who acted as the host of the show surprised crowd when she strutted on the runway.
Emerging from the huge, castle-like set, the 36-year-old made the surprise trip down the runway to open the "Enchanted Forest" segment of the show. During the walk, she was seen wearing a beautiful purple corset and green half gown with poufs of tulle by Jane Law. Her accessories included jewelry by Mouawad and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.
Before the show, she has said she opted for hosting instead of modeling because she "wasn't quite ready yet." She added, "This kind of takes a lot of planning. When you have a baby, you...
Emerging from the huge, castle-like set, the 36-year-old made the surprise trip down the runway to open the "Enchanted Forest" segment of the show. During the walk, she was seen wearing a beautiful purple corset and green half gown with poufs of tulle by Jane Law. Her accessories included jewelry by Mouawad and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.
Before the show, she has said she opted for hosting instead of modeling because she "wasn't quite ready yet." She added, "This kind of takes a lot of planning. When you have a baby, you...
- 11/20/2009
- by celebrity-mania.com
- Celebrity Mania
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