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December 14, 2007
Meet the Queen's stylist
I recently spoke with with Alexandra Byrne, the Oscar-nominatedcostume designer who created the magnificent Tudor gowns worn by Cate
Blanchett in "Elizabeth--The Golden Age". I was interviewing her for a story that will appear in the print, version of Variety very soon, but I just had to share a few tidbits with you.
I chatted with Byrne, who is based in the west of England, for nearly
an hour about the challenges involved in creating the Virgin Queen's various
looks, magnificent period reproduction dresses made of silk damask in vivid dyes with intricate concertina lace collars (which she and her team folded themselves), with rope used to support and flare the enormous skirts. There were plenty of antique touches, like a blue Victorian plush that Byrne found in a
flea market, mixed in with modern bamboo corsets (much more
comfortable than bone) and custom-made steel arrowhead accessories
for her hair. She found a jeweler in Rome who specializes in making Renaissance jewelry, and promptly "cleared out his entire showroom". There's so much more to tell, like how some of the dresses were inspired by a Balenciaga collection from the 1940s...but in the meantime, I suggest you go see the movie and soak up those lavish looks.
December 14, 2007 in FASHION | Permalink
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