10 historical royal costumes from movies and television on display...

Today I thought I'd delve into the past and dig out all the historical Royal costumes from film and television that I've spied on my travels to exhibitions, museums and cinemas. Enjoy these ten costumes worn by kings, queens and princesses on the big and small screen.

Queen Elizabeth II ambassador's ball gown

worn by Claire Foy in The Crown

First up is this ball gown worn by Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix's British Royal Family drama, The Crown.

This look is from the sophomore season, which covered the mid-1950s though to the 1960s, which earned Costume Designer Jane Petrie an Emmy for Outstanding Period Costumes.

Princess Margaret birthday portrait gown

worn by Vanessa Kirby in The Crown

That same 2017 season saw Vanessa Kirby star as Her Majesty's sister Princess Margaret and wear this butterfly-adorned dress for her birthday portrait (although she opted for a more risqué photo option courtesy of Tony Armstrong).

Both these TV costumes were photographed on display at Beverly Hills Paley Center for Media in July 2018.

Fans of the streaming service's lavish historical dramatisation can also enjoy all these other costumes from The Crown on display.

King George VI costume worn by Colin Firth

and Queen Elizabeth costume worn by Helena Bonham Carter

in The King's Speech

Back in 2010 Colin Firth starred as King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II's father who had a speech impediment when it came to public speaking. In the movie set in 1930s England, Helena Bonham Carter played his wife, Queen Elizabeth, who enlists an Australian speech and language therapist to help him.

Jenny Beavan was Oscar-nominated for her Costume Design on director Tom Hooper's film and these screen-worn costumes from The King's Speech were photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in December 2010.

Queen Victoria costume worn by Judi Dench

in Victoria & Abdul

In 2017 Dame Judi Dench once again played Queen Victoria as she had previously in 1997's Mrs. Brown, but this time in director Stephen Frears biopic Victoria & Abdul.

Set in 1887 the film is based on a 2010 book by Shrabani Basu about the real-life relationship between Queen Victoria, the Empress of India, and her Indian Muslim servant Abdul Karim (played by Ali Fazal).

Consolata Boyle was nominated for an Academy Award for Costume Design and this outfit was captured on display at ArcLight Hollywood in September 2017.

If you like this Scottish Highlands look, make sure you also check out more costumes from Victoria & Abdul on display.

Queen Anne riding outfit worn by Olivia Colman

in The Favourite

In the 2018 historical comedy-drama, The Favourite, Olivia Colman won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Britain's Queen Anne.

Set in early 18th century England, the film from Yorgos Lanthimos tells the tale of the rabbit-loving monarch with a mercurial temper and the women vying to be the Queen's companion by any means necessary.

Sandy Powell's Costume Designs were nominated for an Oscar and Queen Anne's riding outfit and other costumes from The Favourite were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries in February 2019.

Queen Elizabeth I worn by Cate Blanchett

in Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Cate Blanchett played Elizabeth I in 1998's Elizabeth, then reprised the regal role for 2007 sequel, Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Set in 1588 the Queen of England faces many crises late in her reign on the throne, including an assassination plot, the Spanish Armada and romantic disappointments.

Alexandra Byrne took home the Academy Award for Costume Design on director Sekhar Kapur's historical drama and this gown was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood in April 2009.

Queen Elizabeth I worn by Margot Robbie

in Mary Queen of Scots

Another actress to later play the monarch was Margot Robbie in 2018's Mary Queen of Scots film, which is based on John Guy's biography, Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart.

Once again Alexandra Byrne was Oscar-nominated for Best Achievement in Costume Design on director Josie Rourke's biopic.

Mary Stuart costume worn by Saoirse Ronan

in Mary Queen of Scots

In the motion picture, Saoirse Ronan played the young Mary Stuart intent on reclaiming her throne from her cousin Queen Elizabeth I during the 16th century.

These screen-worn costumes were photographed exhibited at ArcLight Hollywood and L.A.'s FIDM Museum in November 2018 and February 2019, respectively.

Fans of the historical drama can check out more Oscar-nominated costumes from Mary Queen of Scots on display.

Elizabeth of York costume worn by Jodie Comer

in The White Princess

In the 2017 mini-series The White Princess, continuing the adaptation of Philippa Gregory's The Cousins' War historical novels, Jodie Comer played Elizabeth "Lizzie" of York who marries England's King Henry VII, first monarch of the House of Tudor.

Phoebe de Gaye was Costume Designer on this eight-episode limited series and these costumes from The White Princess were snapped on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum in August 2017.

Isabella of Angoulême costume worn by Léa Seydoux

in Robin Hood

And finally for this collection of noble garb, here's the lavish costume worn by Léa Seydoux as Isabella of Angoulême, the young Queen consort to England's King John from 1200 to 1216, in 2010's Robin Hood (directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe).

This elaborate costume was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood in January 2014 and designed by Janty Yates. If you like it, be sure to also check out more movie costumes from 2010's Robin Hood.

I hope you've enjoyed this roundup of historical Royal costumes from my cinematic and televisual archives, maybe another time we'll take a look at some regal wardrobes from the worlds of fantasy and fairytales.

10 Presidential costumes from the big and small screen on display...

To get us all in the mood for tomorrow's inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States of America I thought I'd dig through my archives to see what movie and TV costumes I may have seen on my travels to cinemas, museums and exhibits over the years that have a presidential or political theme.

President Abraham Lincoln costume

worn by Daniel Day Lewis in Lincoln

First up is this costume worn by Daniel Day-Lewis as 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln, in Steven Spielberg's 2012 historical biopic Lincoln.

Loosely based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2005 biography, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, the feature won Academy Awards for the actor and for Production Design, whilst Joanna Johnston was Oscar-nominated for Costume Design.

This costume, with Abe's iconic top hat, was photographed on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema in December 2012.

President John F. Kennedy costume

worn by Michael C. Hall in The Crown

The next U.S. President in focus is the country's 35th choice, John F. Kennedy, and a costume worn by Michael C. Hall in the sophomore season of Netflix's historical British Royal drama, The Crown.

Jane Petrie was Costume Designer on the show's second season and won the Emmy for Outstanding Period Costumes.

This costume was exhibited alongside others at the Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills in July 2018.

Jackie Kennedy costume worn by Natalie Portman

in Jackie

Keeping to the same 1960s era, and here's the iconic pink outfit and pillbox hat worn by Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy in the 2016 biographical film, Jackie, set on the day of her husband's assassination.

Madeline Fontaine was Oscar-nominated for the film directed by Pablo Larraín and this Jackie Kennedy costume was photographed on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in December 2016.

Jackie Kennedy costume worn by Deanna Cahill

in 11.22.63

Here's another take on the classic look worn by Deanna Cahill in Hulu's limited series, 11.22.63 (named for the date of JFK's assassination).

Roland Sanchez was Costume Designer on this television adaptation of Stephen King's time-traveling sci-fi thriller.

This Jackie Kennedy costume from 11.22.63 was photographed alongside more cast outfits at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries in August 2016.

Jackie Kennedy gown worn by Jodi Balfour

in The Crown

Another actress who played Jacqueline Kennedy was Jodi Balfour in the second season episode of The Crown, Dear Mrs. Kennedy.

Emmy-winning Costume Designer Jane Petrie was responsible for this glamorous yellow silk skirt and black bodice and gloves worn in the episode.

Fans of the drama can also enjoy these other Emmy-winning costumes from The Crown, including another Jackie Kennedy gown, on display.

Pat Nixon costume worn by Patricia McCormack

and President Richard Nixon costume worn by Frank Langella

in Frost/Nixon

Next up are costumes from director Ron Howard's 2008 retelling of the post-Watergate interviews in 1977 between British talk show host, David Frost, and disgraced former President Richard Nixon.

In Frost/Nixon, Michael Sheen played David Frost and Frank Langella starred as Nixon, whilst Patty McCormack played his wife, Pat Nixon.

Daniel Orlandi was Costume Designer on this biopic and these Frost/Nixon outfits were photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood in February 2010.

President Ronald Reagan costume and wig worn by Johnny Carson

on The Tonight Show

Next up is another exhibit from the now closed NBC Universal Experience Museum in February 2010, the President Ronald Reagan costume and wig worn by late-night legend Johnny Carson as the host of The Tonight Show.

Lynne Cheney costume worn by Amy Adams

and Dick Cheney costume worn by Christian Bale

in Vice

Moving further ahead in time and these costumes were worn by Amy Adams and Christian Bale in the 2018 Dick Cheney movie, Vice.

Adam McKay's comedy-drama shone a spotlight on the most powerful Vice President in U.S. history under George W. Bush.

Susan Matheson was Costume Designer on this biopic and this duo of Vice film costumes were captured on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in December 2018.

President James Sawyer costume worn by Jamie Foxx

in White House Down

And now from historical presidential figures to a more fictional variety, with Jamie Foxx's suit and sneakers from 2013's siege action movie, White House Down.

In Roland Emmerich's movie he played 'U.S. President James Sawyer' being protected from invading terrorists by Channing Tatum's 'John Cale'.

Lisy Christi was Costume Designer on this film and these White House Down costumes were photographed on display within ArcLight Hollywood's lobby in June 2013.

President Selina Meyer costume worn by Julia Louis-Dreyfus

in Veep

And finally for this collection of themed wardrobes, this presidential look was worn by Julia Louis-Dreyfus as 'Selina Meyer' in the HBO political comedy, Veep.

This series ran for seven seasons from April 2012 to May 2019 and during that time not only was her character the Vice President, but she also served as Commander-in-Chief.

Kathleen Felix-Hager was Costume Designer on these looks and fans of the political satire can also enjoy these other screen-worn costumes from Veep on display.

Here's hoping tomorrow will be a safe, joyful and healing experience, and a fresh start to wipe away the hideous stain of the last four years. 

10 more costumes from movie and TV musicals on display...

You know what's great about searching through your archives of costumes and prop images? You end up discovering more than you originally thought you had. With that in mind, here's another collection of screen-worn costumes from musicals from the big and small screen for your enjoyment, because we all need some song, dance and joy in our lives at the moment.

Ali Rose costume worn by Christina Aguilera

in Burlesque

First up is this Swarovski-adorned and feathered corset worn by Christiana Aguilera as 'Ali Rose' opposite Cher in the 2010 movie, Burlesque. The pop star plays a small-town girl who moves to L.A. to follow her dreams and ends up working at and becoming the star attraction at Cher's ailing Burlesque Lounge.

Michael Kaplan was Costume Designer on the musical movie written and directed by Steven Antin and this outfit was photographed along with two other Burlesque movie costumes on display at ArcLight Hollywood cinema during the film's theatrical release in November 2010.

Screen-worn La La Land movie costumes

In 2016's Oscar-winning romantic musical La La Land, Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling play an actress and pianist navigate their careers and falling in love in modern day Los Angeles.

Mary Zophres was the Oscar-nominated Costume Designer on director Damien Chazelle's film with music composed by Justin Hurwitz, so be sure to take closer look at more screen-worn costumes from La La Land.

These particular colourful outfits were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries in February 2017.

Mary Poppins costume worn by Julie Andrews

From contemporary musicals to an iconic classic, Julie Andrews were this original costume as the magical nanny in Disney's 1964 adaptation of Mary Poppins, based on the books by P. L. Travers.

Tony Walton was nominated for an Academy Award for Costume Design on the family fantasy musical directed by Robert Stevenson. This infamous look was captured on display at Disney's D23 Expo in Anaheim, California in August 2019.

Plus make sure you also check out more costumes from Mary Poppins on display.

Stacee Jaxx costume worn by Tom Cruise

in Rock of Ages

In 2012 the rock jukebox Broadway musical, Rock of Ages, was adapted for the big screen and featured the music of many glam metal artists like Def Leppard, Journey, Joan Jett, Poison, Bon Jovi and more besides.

In the film directed by Adam Shankman, Tom Cruise played self-indulgent rock star 'Stacee Jaxx' and wore this outfit designed by Rita Ryack.

This costume was photographed alongside other Rock of Ages film costumes worn by Mary J. Blige and Alec Baldwin at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in May 2012.

Jerrica "Jem" Benton costume worn by Aubrey Peeples

in Jem and the Holograms

In 2015 the 1980s cartoon series, Jem and the Holograms, was adapted for the big screen as a live-action musical fantasy comedy-drama with Aubrey Peeples as the titular pop star character. The film directed by Jon M. Chu follows the small-town girl and her sisters as their homemade video goes viral and turns them into global superstars.

Soyon An was Costume Designer on this movie adaptation and these costumes from Jem and the Holograms were captured on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum in February 2016.

Prince tribute costumes from Black-ish

In 2018 for the fifth season of the American sitcom Black-ish, the 'Johnson' family played tribute to the music legend Prince in their 100th music-filled episode.

Yara Shahidi, Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross and more wore costumes fashioned after Prince's iconic style and Michelle R. Cole was Emmy-nominated for recreating these looks.

These Black-ish Prince tribute costumes were photographed on display at the FIDM Museum in August 2019.

Sharpay Evans costume worn by Ashley Tisdale

in High School Musical 3: Senior Year

In 2008 Disney Channel's successful High School Musical franchise took to the big screen for its third and final installment, which followed the East High students during their Senior Year.

Ashley Tisdale starred as glamorous Drama Club president 'Sharpay Evans' and wore this graduation outfit designed by Caroline B. Marx in the film directed by Kenny Ortega, which was photographed on display at Disney Studios HQ in Burbank, California.

Pitch Perfect 2 movie costumes

The 'Barden Bellas' were back for a movie sequel in 2015, with Anna Kendrick's 'Beca Mitchell' and the girls headed to the A cappella World Championships in Copenhagen and taking on the German super group 'Das Sound Machine'.

These Pitch Perfect 2 film costumes designed by Sal Pérez were photographed on display at Downtown L.A.'s FIDM Museum & Galleries in February 2016.

Rebecca Bunch costume worn by Rachel Bloom

in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

In the romantic musical television comedy, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Rachel Bloom plays 'Rebecca Bunch', a lawyer who moves from New York City to West Covina, California to persue her ex from high school camp.

The actress wears this fabulous Thanksgiving turkey costume designed by Melina Root in the sixth episode of the first season and was photographed alongside other costumes from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend at L.A.'s FIDM Museum in August 2016.

Giselle costume worn by Amy Adams

in Enchanted

And the final costume today is from Disney's romantic musical comedy spoof Enchanted from 2007, which starred Amy Adams as fairytale princess 'Giselle' who find herself transported from her cartoon world to the live-action land of New York City where she finds her true love.

Mona May was Costume Designer on the joyful musical fantasy directed by Kevin Lima and this fairytale gown was photographed on display at Disney's D23 Expo in August 2019. 

If you like this collection of costumes, make sure you enjoy these ten other musical costumes from films like Les Misérables, The Greatest Showman, Into the Woods, Mamma Mia and more.

Out of this world spacesuits from the big and small screen...

Happy New Year! With vaccines on the way to protect us from COVID-19, we can once again start looking towards the future. Whenever I think of the future I alway think of space and science fiction, so today I thought I'd share eight different spacesuits from movies and television that I've come across on my travels across time and space.

Spacesuit worn by Anne Hathaway

as Dr. Amelia Brand in Interstellar

In 2014's Interstellar, a team of scientists and explorers travel through a wormhole searching for a new planet to sustain humanity when Earth's future is treated with famines, droughts and natural disasters.

Anne Hathaway plays NASA scientist and astronaut, 'Dr. Amelia Brand', and wears this spacesuit designed by Mary Zophres.

Fans of Christopher Nolan's sci-fi movie can also check out these other screen-used props and models from Interstellar on display.

Sokul pressure suit worn by Sandra Bullock

as Ryan Stone in Gravity

Director Alfonso Cuarón's 2013 space mission thriller, Gravity, won seven Oscars and starred Sandra Bullock and George Clooney as two astronauts stranded in space after an accident.

Jany Temime was Costume Designer on the movie, so make sure you take a closer look at Sandra Bullock's costume, plus George Clooney's astronaut suit from Gravity on display on Warner Bros. Studios  Backlot Tour in June 2016.

Spacesuit worn by Hermione Norris as Captain Lundvik

in Doctor Who's Kill the Moon

This spacesuit appears in the seventh episode, Kill the Moon, of the revived eighth season of Doctor Who from 2014, in which Peter Capaldi's time-traveling 'Doctor' and his companion 'Clara' (Jenna Coleman) join a suicide mission to the Moon to save the Earth.

The costume was photographed on display at the Doctor Who Experience in Wales in April 2015 and fans of the Time Lord can also enjoy these other original costumes and props from Doctor Who.

2001: A Space Odyssey spacesuit

This screen-used spacesuit designed by Hardy Amies is from 1968's epic 2001: A Space Odyssey, directed by Stanley Kubrick and inspired by Arthur C. Clarke's 1951 short story, 'The Sentinel'. When mankind discovers a mysterious monolith on the Moon they set off on a space mission to Jupiter with the help of the sentient computer HAL 9000 in search of extraterrestrial life.

Be sure to take a look at more costumes and props on display at the Stanley Kubrick exhibition at LACMA back in January 2013, from films like Eyes Wide Shut, The Shining, Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon and more.

Ares III spacesuit worn by Matt Damon

as Mark Watney in The Martian

In the 2015 movie The Martian, Matt Damon's NASA astronaut 'Mark Watney' finds himself marooned on the Red Planet after he's left behind and thought dead on a mission that's hit by a fierce storm.

Janty Yates was Costume Designer on the film directed Ridley Scott and this Mars surface suit was manufactured by FBFX.

Fans of the movie can take a closer look at this NASA astronaut suit from The Martian on display at L.A.'s ArcLight Hollywood cinema in September 2015.

Spacesuit worn by Brad Pitt

as Major Roy McBride in Ad Astra

In 2019's Ad Astra, Brad Pitt plays 'Major Roy McBride' of the U.S. Space Command who travels to the edge of the solar system to find his missing father and solve the mystery of a threat to Earth's very survival.

Albert Wolsky was Costume Designer on James Gray's film and you can take a closer look at his spacesuit and space buggy from Ad Astra on display in ArcLight Hollywood's cinema foyer in September 2019.

Spacesuit from High Life

In the 2018 sci-fi horror from Claire Denis, High Life, a group of criminals are sent on a space mission and become subjects of a human reproduction experiment which becomes endangered by a cosmic ray storm.

Make sure you take a closer look at this screen-used spacesuit from High Life designed by Judy Shrewsbury exhibited at ArcLight Hollywood in March 2019.

Apollo A7L spacesuit worn by Ryan Gosling

as Neil Armstrong in First Man

And finally this Apollo A7L spacesuit was worn by Ryan Gosling in the 2018 Neil Armstrong biopic, First Man, about the legendary space mission that led to him being the first man to walk on the Moon on July 20, 1969.

Mary Zophres was Costume Designer on Damien Chazelle's film and this Apollo A7L spacesuit was created by Global Effects, Inc. and displayed alongside more costumes and props from First Man at ArcLight Hollywood in January 2019.

As you can see, you may think all astronauts look the same, but when different countries, worlds, pasts and futures are involved, that's clearly not the case.

Come back soon when I'll be digging out more costumes and props from my archives until this pandemic is over and the world returns to some semblance of normality.