Vogue World: Hollywood brought together the captivating worlds of high fashion and iconic cinema on the historic Paramount lot. This unique event was structured into seven distinct chapters, each dedicated to a different film genre, ranging from Afrofuturism to historical epics and sci-fi. For each chapter, celebrated costume designers collaborated with prominent fashion houses to create stunning looks that honored classic film attire while incorporating modern elements. The event was a dynamic showcase of costumes, haute couture, bespoke designs, and contemporary runway pieces, worn by a mix of models and stars, alongside beloved characters from film history like Charlie Chaplin's Little Tramp and Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly.
Beyond its grand display, Vogue World: Hollywood was also a philanthropic endeavor. All proceeds from ticket sales, as well as those generated from an exclusive eight-piece capsule collection designed by Jerry Lorenzo of Fear of God, were directed to the Entertainment Community Fund. This charity provides crucial support to actors, crew members, and various other creative professionals within the film industry, with a special focus on assisting costume professionals impacted by the recent LA wildfires. Paramount Pictures further demonstrated its commitment by contributing a significant donation to the fund, highlighting the event's dual purpose of celebrating creativity and supporting the community.
The Evolution of Cinematic Style: From Golden Age to Avant-Garde
Vogue World: Hollywood meticulously chronicled the rich tapestry of cinematic fashion, from the opulent glamour of old Hollywood to the bold statements of avant-garde design. The event's thematic chapters provided a chronological journey, beginning with the 'Golden Age of Hollywood,' which explored the transformative era from the late 1920s to the 1960s. This period, marked by innovation in filmmaking, saw Catherine Martin and Miuccia Prada reinterpret the flamboyant spirit of films like 'Moulin Rouge!' and 'The Great Gatsby' through contemporary fashion. Following this, 'The Renegades' chapter celebrated cinematic rebels, drawing inspiration from iconic figures and films such as 'Edward Scissorhands' and 'The Matrix.' Costume designer Colleen Atwood, in collaboration with Seán McGirr for McQueen, infused these rebellious aesthetics with a keenly Gothic and off-kilter sensibility, allowing filmdom's unique flair to shine through.
The journey continued with 'Historical Heroines,' where Milena Canonero and Nicholas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton reimagined period dramas like Stanley Kubrick’s 'Barry Lyndon' and Sofia Coppola’s 'Marie Antoinette.' This section showcased innovative approaches to traditional silhouettes, blending antique styles with a modern sense of movement and artistry. 'Summer of Love' then captured the socio-political vibrancy of the 1960s and ’70s, with Arianne Phillips and Marc Jacobs presenting looks inspired by legendary romances and counter-cultural movements, maintaining a 'groovy-but-grounded' tone. 'Avant-Garde' pushed boundaries further, featuring Sandy Powell’s period-hopping, gender-fluid designs from 'Orlando,' paired with contemporary pieces from Valentino, Gucci, Dior, Balmain, and Louis Vuitton, signifying the future of fashion. Finally, 'Afrofuturism' presented powerful visions of Blackness through the works of Ruth E. Carter and Olivier Rousteing for Balmain, drawing from films like Spike Lee’s 'Malcolm X' and Marvel’s 'Black Panther,' emphasizing empowerment and enduring presence through richly worked fabrics and innovative silhouettes. These chapters collectively illustrated how film and fashion continually inspire and redefine each other, offering a comprehensive narrative of style through the ages.
The Creative Dialogue: Costume Designers and Fashion Houses
The event fostered a dynamic collaboration between celebrated costume designers and leading fashion houses, illuminating the intricate relationship between film and contemporary style. Catherine Martin, renowned for her work on 'Moulin Rouge!' and 'The Great Gatsby,' partnered with Prada's Miuccia Prada to capture the roaring twenties' spirit with modern resonance. Martin emphasized blending historical authenticity with an energy that connects with today's audience, often prioritizing idealized forms over strict historical accuracy. Miuccia Prada noted her approach to costume design involves reinterpreting historical elements with a fresh perspective, showing how subtle interventions can transform existing pieces into period-appropriate yet contemporary styles. This partnership brought the lavish, romantic aesthetics of the Golden Age of Hollywood to life, showcasing how cinematic costume design influences, and is influenced by, runway fashion.
Similarly, Colleen Atwood, celebrated for her work on 'Edward Scissorhands,' collaborated with Seán McGirr for McQueen to explore rebellious and Gothic aesthetics. Atwood detailed her inspiration for Edward Scissorhands as rooted in street style and a patched-together look, combining bondage-meets-practicality with Victorian influences. She highlighted how understanding the character's essence guides her design process, ensuring costumes enhance storytelling rather than merely serving as attire. This underscores a costume designer’s role in world-building, creating immersive visual narratives. Furthermore, Milena Canonero, known for 'Marie Antoinette,' found inspiration in art and photography across different periods, asserting that period movies inherently possess more style. Jacqueline West, who worked on 'Dune,' initially hesitant about sci-fi, was sought by director Denis Villeneuve for her grounded realism, demonstrating how authentic costume design, even in fantastical settings, enriches a film’s narrative. These collaborations illustrate how costume designers, with their deep understanding of character and narrative, work hand-in-hand with fashion creatives to push boundaries and create unforgettable looks that transcend the silver screen.