On my recent return from the U.K. to L.A. I was greeted by a veritable cornucopia of movie costume exhibits at ArcLight Hollywood, everything from fantasy costumes from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug to Joaquin Phoenix's film wardrobe from Her (more on those soon) and probably the most fabulous displays of them all were these over-the-top 70's inspired costumes from American Hustle.
American Hustle costume exhibit at ArcLight Hollywood
These five fabulous outfits worn by the all-star cast in
David O'Russell's acclaimed new crime comedy drama were designed by
Michael Wilkinson and photographed on display at
ArcLight Hollywood cinema on December 21, 2013.
You can also see his
costume designs in Watchmen,
Sucker Punch,
Tron: Legacy and most recently his new
Superman suit design in Man of Steel.
American Hustle movie billboard
American Hustle is based on the real life
FBI ABSCAM sting operation of the late 70's and early 80's, when a con-artist is recruited by an unorthodox
FBI Agent along with his partner and lover, to go undercover into the corrupt world of
Jersey powerbrokers and mafia.
Costume worn by Bradley Cooper as Richie DiMaso
in American Hustle
In the movie
Bradley Cooper plays the wild
FBI Agent 'Richard "Richie" DiMaso' who catches the small-time con-artist duo and recruits them to work for him.
Apparently the
Costume Designer was influenced by such films as
Goodfellas and
Atlantic City, plus referenced magazines, TV shows and advertisements from the era to help create the period looks, and
Saturday Night Fever was especially influential for the look of
Bradley Cooper's Bronx born character, like this silk shirt and scarf outfit.
If you're a fan of the actor, be sure to check out
Bradley Cooper's police costume from The Place Beyond The Pines (he must be attracted to playing law enforcement characters).
Dress worn by Amy Adams as Sydney Prosser
in American Hustle
Amy Adam's plunging
Studio 54-style halter sequin dress may not have been in the middle of this costume display, but it certainly was the
'wow' centerpiece of the exhibit and literally dazzled from its display case.
In the film the actress plays
'Sydney Prosser', former stripper, and the business scam partner and mistress of
Christian Bale's 'Irving Rosenfeld' con man character. This outfit is clearly not worn by a damsel in distress, but rather a master manipulator who is able to play both her lover and her
FBI handler.
If you love the actress, be sure to also check out
Amy Adams movie costumes from Enchanted on display.
Costume worn by Christian Bale as Irving Rosenfeld
in American Hustle
Christian Bale once again morphs into someone almost unrecognizable in this new movie, with the aid of a comb-over, some facial hair and about an extra 40 pounds of weight from his usual muscular
Batman physique, or even more than his ultra-skinny look for
The Machinist.
He plays the conman
'Irving Rosenfeld', based on the real-life 70's sting operation con artist,
Mel Weinberg, and wears this signature blue suit in the movie (which is even featured on the promotional billboards and posters).
For a more familiar look for the actor, be sure to check out
Christian Bale's Batman suits from The Dark Knight trilogy on display.
Dress and fur worn by Jennifer Lawrence as Rosalyn Rosenfeld
in American Hustle
Not content to dominate the box office as
'Katniss Everdeen' in
The Hunger Games movie franchise,
Jennifer Lawrence also stars as
Irving's unstable wife and mother of his child in this movie, again showing her amazing range as an actress.
Amy Adams dazzling dress may be a real showstopper, but
'Rosalyn Rosenfeld's' white dress and luxurious fur makes for a real spectacle too.
Costume worn by Jeremy Renner as Mayor Carmine Polito
in American Hustle
And finally of the lead cast, here's the suit, complete with frilly shirt, worn by
Jeremy Renner as
'Carmine Polito', the mayor of
Camden, New Jersey, who the
FBI target to entrap and use in their sting operation.
If you're a fan of the actor, be sure to check out the
bomb suit from The Hurt Locker, the film which propelled
Jeremy Renner's career into the
Hollywood A-List.
You have to agree, this was a pretty spectacular display of costumes, especially as they were worn by so many big
Hollywood names.
