Exquisitely Evil: Bond Villain Style

The best villains in movies had great style.  No one does flamboyant evil than a James Bond Villain.  This theme is being celebrated in Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C.

I enjoyed this exhibit over the weekend while learning about the history of espionage.  While the museum was curated to cater to the Hollywood idea of spies, the interactive design was highly educational and fun.

The Bond Villain exhibit was the start of the museum.  It highlighted costumes ad props worn in the film like Famke Janssen's curvy leather Russian operative uniform to Christopher Walken's tailored suit as Max Zorin.  For Bond villains, accessories are functional additions to your look.  Think lethal footwear that had switchblades or guns embedded and a "dream" mask worn by Toby Stephen's Gustav Graves in "Die Another Day".

Funny how life imitates art.  Many of the tricked out spy gadgets ended up inspiring real gadgets used in espionage.  I did see umbrellas that could shoot poison pellets that were used in actual assassination plots.  There were blades designed for close combat stitched into lapels.

One of the most important things a spy learns is their cover or "legend".  Both the International Spy Museum and 50 Years of Bond Villains proved that your costume and your looks are a vital part of that.

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Rodarte Costumes for Black Swan

Black Swan, the dark, ballet thriller by Darren Aronofsky opened Friday.  In fashion, all of the buzz has been going to the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte.  They designed seven of the edgy, Goth-chic costumes for the stylish movie.  The theme of "duality" played out on stage and off.  

For Prince Siegfried's character, the designers were inspired by mechanical birds.  The costume is vividly detailed with floral embroidered cheesecloth and distressed velvet.  Odette's costume is a constructed pancake shaped tutu.  It was embellished with white angora wool to emulate branches growing up the skirt.  

This may be the first film for Kate and Laura Mulleavy, but the designers have previously found horror and ballet to be muses for their collection.  

Update 1/31/11: While the Mulleavy sisters received many accolades for the fashionable look of this film, one hard-working designer has been left out of the spotlight.  In an interview for film style blog Clothes on Film, Award-winning costume designer Amy Westcott noted that while Rodarte may have been responsible for seven looks, there were many other costumes that were created by herself and Zack Brown.  

Ms. Westcott also clarified the difference between a fashion designer's role and her own position.  A fashion designer may conceptualize looks for the screen.  However, a true film costumer researches every tone and color on film, wear-tests each costume and is on set every day to ensure the comfort of the actors.

Amy Westcott Sketch

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