As we’ve moved into another week of lockdown we thought it would be nice to create an Olivia Annabelle film club to share some of our favourite films and tv series. First off is our favourite collection of films we think showcase ‘Costume Goals.’ Costume influences so many of our designs and here are some of the films that have inspired us!
Orlando (1992)
Tilda Swinton. Need we say anymore? A visually stunning film, and mainly because we love Tilda Swinton. The plot is twisty and can be confusing but stay with it. It’s directed by female director Sally Potter and it’s based off Virginia Woolf’s book of the same name… what a dreamy combination right?
Anna Karenina (2012)
Set in Russia pre-revolution this film showcases all the glamour and excess of the Russian aristocracy. With subtle nods to more modern evening gowns and jewellery by Chanel (worth £2m..gulp) this film is a real feast for the eyes. Keira Knightley stuns in every shot. Can we dress like this throughout lockdown please…sigh.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
I don’t think we could create a round-up of beautiful costumes in films without including this film. It’s probably one of the most beautiful films ever made - a film I’d love to live inside - apart from the ominous ending of course! The costumes make me want this film to never end, but alas all good things come to an end. So much cake inspiration…so much cake.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007)
There’s something quite magical about Elizabeth I’s clothes - the fact she tried to present herself as if she wasn’t a mere mortal through extravagant clothing is a vibe we’re here for! All of the costumes in this film are to die for and make us want to don a curly wig adorned with pearls and feather, even Elizabeth’s armour as she gets ready for the Spanish Armada is stunning, but our all time favourites are the dress pictured above, the Canary Yellow Dress and the Quality Street Purple Dress (very accurate descriptions there we know).
Little Women (2019)
Our first ever collection was inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women, and the latest adaption is everything we hoped it would be. From the clashing gingham and chintzy floral prints to Jo’s heavenly writing jacket (still on the lookout for one of those) this fresh new take on the March sisters has sparked so many fashion trends for 2020 featuring ultra feminine checkered dresses, balloon sleeves and oversized ‘prairie’ style collars. We love everything about this film!
Gone With The Wind (1939)
The ultimate queen of flamboyant dressing - Scarlett O’Hara. Throughout the film she wears an amazing array of dresses from the infamous BBQ dress pictured above to the magnificent green velvet dress she has made from her curtains when she’s living through the aftermath of the Civil War. Some of the dresses may (or may not) be that historically accurate but if you can manage to sit through 3h 46m of film (it has a cute interval halfway through for ice cream) you won’t be disappointed in the costume department. It’s easy to see why this glamorous film would have raised people’s spirits after the Great Depression taking $393m at the box office even with it’s controversial depiction of the Civil War.
Atonement (2007)
3 words. The Green Dress. If you have no other reason to watch this film make sure you watch it for this dress alone. This dress must be one of the most elegant dresses made for film of all time and no one else could pull it off quite like Keira Knightley does. This dress has always stuck with us, and with so many others too it seems, as around the time the film was released, it was voted the greatest film costume ever in a Sky Movies/In Style poll. Over a decade later, it’s still regarded as one of the all-time greats.
