In director James Mangold's Bob Dylan biopic, A Complete Unknown, Edward Norton plays established folk singer Pete Seeger who befriends Dylan when he is visiting his folk idol Woody Guthrie in hospital. Because he is new to New York City in 1961, Pete Seeger offers the 19-year-old a place to stay with his wife, Toshi (played by Erika Hatsune) and family and helps him get established on the city's folk performance scene.
Toshi Seeger costume worn by Erika Hatsune and
Pete Seeger costume worn by Edward Norton,
plus Seeger children costumes from A Complete Unknown
These screen-worn costumes designed by Arianne Phillips were part of an immersive A Complete Unknown: Design Behind the Scenes exhibition and photographed at ASU FIDM Museum in Downtown L.A. on January 7, 2025.
A Complete Unknown movie poster
In the movie Boyd Holbrook plays the iconic singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, who becomes pen pals with Bob Dylan after he writes to tell him about how he appreciated the lyrics in his songs. They meet for the first time at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964.
Johnny Cash costume worn by Boyd Holbrook
in A Complete Unknown
This trio of costumes below also featured in the movie and even though the exhibit doesn't have any signage, through online sleuthing and now having seen the movie, I believe I now know who they were worn by.
Screen-worn costumes from A Complete Unknown
at ASU FIDM Museum
I believe the outfit on the left is the Newport Folk Festival costume worn by Will Harrison as musician and stage manager Bob Nuewirth, the middle costume may be worn by Dan Fogler as folk music manager Albert Grossman and the green and white polka dot shirt costume on the right is worn by both Timothée Cahalamet as Bob Dylan and by Charlie Tahan as the band's piano player Al Kooper.
Make sure you check out even more costumes from A Complete Unknown designed by Arianne Phillips and worn by Elle Fanning and Monica Barbaro in the film.
A Complete Unknown movie poster
