Tuesday, September 12, 2023

10 throwback women's costumes from the world of television previously on display at FIDM Museum Los Angeles...

Normally at this time of year the public can enjoy the free annual Art of Television Costume Design exhibition at Downtown L.A.'s Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum. This year however it seems the exhibition has been delayed due to the ongoing writer and actors strike, which has also pushed back the Emmy Awards ceremony until January 15, 2024. The exhibit of TV wardrobes is usually a fantastic showcase for the Emmy costume design nominees, so I suspect we may see the exhibition open early next year (when I reached out to museum staff on social media, they appeared to suggest as much). Anyway for those missing the usual costume extravaganza at this time of year, here are some female costumes from past FIDM Museum television exhibits to enjoy.

Brienne of Tarth costume worn by Gwendoline Christie
in Game of Thrones
Brienne of Tarth costume Game of Thrones
First up is the armoured look worn by Gwendoline Christie as 'Brienne of Tarth' in HBO's adaptation of George R. R. Martin's medieval fantasy novels, Game of Thrones.

Michele Clapton was credited as Costume Designer on the series when this final season costume was exhibited in August 2019 and won an Emmy for Outstanding Fantasy/Sci-Fi Costumes.

Fans of the show can also check out more Game of Thrones costumes previously exhibited at the FIDM Museum.

Stahma Tarr costume worn by Jaime Murray
in Defiance
Stahma Tarr costume Defiance
Next is a costume worn by Jaime Murray as 'Stahma Tarr' in the sci-fi series about alien races trying to coexist with humans on Earth in the future, Defiance.

Simonetta Mariano was credited as Costume Designer on this exhibit from August 2016 and you can enjoy more futuristic costumes from Defiance on display.

Countess Elizabeth Johnson costume worn by Lady Gaga
in America Horror Story: Hotel
AHS Hotel Countess costume
Lady Gaga starred in the fifth season of FX's horror anthology series, American Horror Story, and wore this luxurious gown as the vampiric 'Countess' living at the Hotel Cortez.

Lou Eyrich won an Emmy for her costume designs this season, so be sure to take a closer look at her AHS: Hotel costumes on display in August 2016.

Catherine the Great costume worn by Elle Fanning
in The Great
Catherine The Great costume
Elle Fanning starred as 'Catherine the Great', the infamous Empress of Russia, in Hulu's 18th century historical satire, The Great.

This Emmy-winning garment for Outstanding Period Costumes from the show's sophomore season was designed by Sharon Long and was on display at the FIDM Museum in August 2022.

Lady Mary Crawley costume worn by Michelle Dockery
in Downton Abbey
Lady Mary costume Downton Abbey
Fans of period dramas will love this costume worn by Michelle Dockery as 'Lady Mary Crawley' in the worldwide phenomena, Downton Abbey.

Anna Robbins was nominated for an Emmy for her period costume designs and this outfit was showcased in September 2016.

Fans of the show about the aristocratic family and their staff living and working at a Yorkshire stately home can enjoy these other Downton Abbey costumes from the big and small screen.

Susie Myerson costume worn by Alex Borstein
in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Susie Myerson costume Mrs Maisel
Next up is a fun costume worn by Alex Borstein as talent agent 'Susie Myerson' in the second season of Amazon Prime Video's The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She wears this costume for the end of season staff show at the Catskill Mountains resort.

Donna Zakowska won an Emmy for Outstanding Period Costumes like this one on display in September 2019.

Fans of the show can see more of her winning and nominated costumes from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Bilquis costume worn by Yetide Badaki
in American Gods
American Gods Bilquis costume
Yetide Badaki wore this outfit as 'Bilquis' the 'Queen of Sheba' in Starz television adaptation of Neil Gaiman's best-selling fantasy novel, American Gods.

On display in August 2017, Suttirat Anne Larlab is credited as Series Costume Designer and you can see more of her work with these other American Gods costumes.

Emperor Philippa Georgiou costume worn by Michelle Yeoh
in Star Trek: Discovery 
Emperor Georgiou costume Star Trek Discovery
Michelle Yeoh wore this elaborate costume as Mirror Universe 'Emperor Philip Georgiou' in the debut season of Star Trek: Discovery.

Gersha Phillips was the Costume Designer on this new iteration of Star Trek initially on the CBS All Access streaming service.

This season one costume was exhibited in August 2018 alongside other Star Trek: Discovery costumes.

Madame Tracy costume worn by Miranda Richardson
in Good Omens
Madame Tracy costume Good Omens
Miranda Richardson played 'Madame Tracy' in Amazon Prime Video's TV adaptation of Terry Prachett and Neil Gaiman's fantasy comedy novel, Good Omens.

Claire Anderson was Emmy-nominated for her costume designs on the series and you can check out more Good Omens costumes on display in August 2019.

Princess Elizabeth wedding gown worn by Claire Foy
in The Crown
Princess Elizabeth wedding gown The Crown
And finally for this collection of screen-worn costumes, her's the wedding gown worn by Claire Foy as 'Princess Elizabeth' in the first season of Netflix's historical royal drama, The Crown.

This replica of Norman Hartnell's wedding dress for the future Queen of the United Kingdom was recreated by Emmy-winning Costume Designer Michele Clapton.

Exhibited at the FIDM Museum in August 2017, fans of the historical British drama can check out these other costumes from The Crown.

I first ventured to the FIDM Museum in August 2009 when they didn't allow photography of any kind (well before the influence of social media and smartphones with good cameras) and have visited ever since. Fingers crossed we'll see another Art of Television Costume Design exhibition in 2024. 

No comments:

Post a Comment