It's the 20th year and the best so far for the Art of Motion Picture Costume Design. This year's exhibit has 100 costumes from 20 movies, including the five nominated for best costume design.
The costume designer for "The Artist" told the black-and-white story through texture, but in person, the color is beautiful.
For two decades, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum has gathered the previous year's top movie costumes for an exhibition opening before the Academy Awards are presented.
"You have to come here to see the five Oscar-nominated movies, the costumes, to see them up close, and all the detail that goes into it that you don't necessarily see in the film," said designer Nick Verreos, who is an FIDM teacher.
The other Oscar nominees for costume design are for "Hugo"; the Shakespearean-era designs for "Anonymous"; and the early 1800s of "Jane Eyre," costumes detailed even in the unseen undergarments. And the royally elegant couture of "W.E.", with costumes designed by Arianne Phillips, a longtime costume collaborator with Madonna, the movie's director."Being a costume designer is wholly collaborative," said Phillips. "And it's about a language and a conversation that we have with the director. So there's an aesthetic language Madonna and I have shared for many years, and this was just an extension of it. I have never worked with a director who knows intimately what it's like to wear haute couture and fine jewelry."
There is no red carpet here, but these costumes don't need it. All five best-costume nominees are here for the 20th anniversary of the exhibition. Unlike years past, there doesn't look like there's any one leading contender. They're all beautiful. Best to see for yourself.The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design opens Tuesday and runs through April 28 at the FIDM Museum in downtown Los Angeles. Admission is free.
Check out this and other moments in Oscar history on the interactive timeline available on the official Oscar.com website.
Oscar.com also hosts the official Oscar blog, which will feature red carpet fashion trends and tips from chef and lifestyle experts for hosting the best Oscar party.
The awards ceremony will air live on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2012 on ABC7. Coverage begins at noon PT.
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