Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron movie costumes from An American in Paris on display...

In 1951's Technicolor musical, Gene Kelly plays 'Jerry Mulligan', a World War II veteran who chooses a newly-liberated Paris as the place to make his name as a painter. Jerry's life becomes more complicated when he meets a young Parisian shop girl named 'Lise Bouvier' (played by Leslie Caron) and realizes he is not her only suitor. The musical romantic comedy directed by Vincente Minnelli is inspired by composer and pianist George Gershwin's 1928 jazz-influenced symphonic poem of the same name.

Jerry Mulligan costume worn by Gene Kelly

and Lise Bouvier costume worn by Leslie Caron

in An American in Paris

These screen-worn costumes were photographed on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 13, 2025.

Three renowned designers - Orry-Kelly, Walter Plunkett and Irene Sharaff - won the Academy Award for Costume Design at the 1952 Oscars.

Irene Sharaff designed the looks and helped develop the narrative, choreography and set design for the film's 17-minute ballet finale. Jerry's monochrome costume (made of wool, rayon and cotton) stands out as he pursues Lise across a colorful Paris. The lovers eventually uniting in a highly charged dance by the Place de la Concorde fountain, where Lise wears this exquisite peacock ensemble (made of silk velvet, silk chiffon, peacock feathers and glass rhinestones).

I loved seeing these iconic costumes from the movie on display as I have fond memories of seeing the musical on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 2015.

Musicals fans may also enjoy these other screen-used costumes on display at exhibitions over the years.

An American in Paris movie poster

Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn costume from The Suicide Squad on display...

In director James Gunn's The Suicide Squad from 2021, Margot Robbie reprised her role as the crazy and chaotic 'Harley Quinn'. In the sequel to DC's 2016 Suicide Squad movie, the task force of killers, mercenaries and supervillains head to the South American island nation of Corto Maltese to destroy all traces of the giant alien starfish 'Starro the Conqueror' before it falls into the local government's control led by new dictator, 'Silvio Luna', who wishes to marry Harley.

Harley Quinn costume worn by Margot Robbie

in 2021's The Suicide Squad 

This screen-used torn red dress and javelin prop from the film were photographed on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 13, 2025.

Judianna Makovsky is Costume Designer on this anti-hero movie and I previously saw this costume on display at Downtown LA's FIDM Museum, so if you're a fan of the movie be sure to check out these other costumes from The Suicide Squad, including those worn by 'Bloodsport', 'The Polka-Dot Man' and 'Peacemaker'.

Harley Quinn's baseball bat and mallet props

In addition to the javelin that the mannequin was holding, the museum also had Harley's baseball bat from 2016's Suicide Squad movie and her mallet from 2020's Birds of Prey movie on display.

Fans of the character can also take a closer look at Harley Quinn's Suicide Squad costume and her Birds of Prey film costume on display at other exhibitions. 

The Suicide Squad movie poster

C-3PO costume from Star Wars: The Force Awakens on display...

In 2015's Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Anthony Daniels reprised his role as the fussy and worry-prone golden protocol droid, 'C-3PO'. The constant companion of astromech droid, 'R2-D2', 'Threepio' returned in this movie sequel set thirty years after Return of the Jedi sporting a red arm. Director J. J. Abrams apparently wanted the arm color change to hint at C-3PO's unseen history and experiences between films.

C-3PO costume worn by Anthony Daniels

in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

This iconic screen-worn costume was photographed on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 13, 2025.

Star Wars sequel trilogy movie helmets and props

There were also a number of other screen-used props on display from a galaxy far, far away, including 'Finn's' handprint bloodied First Order Stormtrooper helmet, 'Darth Vader's' melted helmet and bird-like Porgs from The Last Jedi.

Star Wars fans can also enjoy this other screen-used movie costumes and props from the sequel trilogy on display during their theatrical releases.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie billboard

Barbra Streisand's Fanny Brice movie costume from Funny Lady on display...

1968's Funny Girl movie is loosely based on the life and career of comedienne and singer Fanny Brice set in the early 1900s and Barbra Streisand won her first Oscar for Best Actress for this, her debut feature film, reprising her role from the Broadway hit musical. In 1975's musical comedy-drama, Barbra Streisand returned to the role for the romantic sequel, Funny Lady. Hitting difficult times during the 1930s, with her marriage to 'Nicky Arnstein' (Omar Sharif) ending in divorce, Fanny continues to pursue fame with the help of brash nightclub owner, song lyricist and showman, 'Billy Rose' (James Chan). And even though they slowly start to feel something for each other, during their stormy relationship, Fanny knows that her feelings for her ex haven't completely gone away.

Fanny Brice movie gown worn by Barbra Streisand

in Funny Lady

Hello, gorgeous. This screen-worn gown was photographed on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 13, 2025.

Ray Aghayan and Bob Mackie were Costume Designers on the movie sequel directed by Herbert Ross and this was one of Fanny Brice's colorful stage costumes made from satin, chiffon, velvet, sequins and jet gemstones (the beret and shoes featured are non-originals).

For another Bob Mackie creation, be sure to check out this Alice Through the Looking Glass costume from the 1966 TV movie.

Funny Lady movie poster