Costuming blends the worlds of storytelling with fashion. Great costuming can help transport an audience into another world. Perhaps it's 17th century England or the American frontier. The right costume design can transport the viewer to a galaxy far, far away, or even into another dimension.
Not only is costuming a powerful story device, it can create some excellent and exciting fashion pieces. In one instance, Star Wars' Queen Amidala is ed more for her outfits than her character. It's no wonder museums around the world have exhibits of costumes from various films. Here's a look at the most celebrated costuming of the last decade that went on to win the Oscar for Best Costume Design.
Alice In Wonderland (2010) - 6.4
Colleen Atwood took home the award for her fanciful and whimsical costuming for Tim Burton's reimagining of the classic Lewis Carroll novel. The movie was filled with A-list talent, including Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Anne Hathaway, along with the then-newcomer Mia Wasikowska as Alice. While the movie may not have received universal praise, the costumes were hailed as some of the best of the year.
Anna Karenina (2012) - 6.6
Anna Karenina was destined for the Oscars. It was based on a classic Tolstoy novel and is set in the 1800s, two things the Academy absolutely loves. Costumes from the period pieces seem to be a perennial favorite of both critics and audiences alike.
Something about historical clothing seems to capture people's imagination. It's no wonder why steampunk and Jane Austen parties are so popular. Not only did Jacqueline Durran win the Oscar for costuming, but her Anna Karenina pieces were also featured in Vanity Fair and the New York Times.
The Great Gatsby (2013) - 7.2
Another bygone era that people love celebrating in the Roaring 20s, a time when America was discovering a new level of prosperity after the end of World War I. And there's no better story that captures the essence of those times than F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.
Director Gatsby into a motion picture that would have all the shine, shimmer, and glimmer that Luhrmann films are known for. At the Oscars, the film won Best Production Design as well as Best Costume Design, awarded to Catherine Martin.
Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them (2016) - 7.3
Harry Potter spin-off book of the same name. The film serves a unique role as being both a spin-off and prequel to the Harry Potter films.
The movie is based in a magical 1920s New York City, and Colleen Atwood received her second Oscar of the decade for her costuming. Atwood has been nominated for an astonishing 12 Oscars, winning four in total.
Black Panther (2018) - 7.3
Hailed as not only one of the best films of the year, but as one of the best in the entire Black Panther became an instant hit, gaining a whopping $1.3 billion dollars at the box office. Black Panther went on to be nominated for seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Costumer Ruth E. Carter took home the award for Best Costume Design, becoming the first African American to win in that category. A Black Panther sequel is currently in development.
Phantom Thread (2017) - 7.5
Phantom Thread stars Daniel Day-Lewis as a neurotic dressmaker who falls in love with a woman who he believes will be subservient to him. Little does he know that she's the one who plans to have control. Naturally, a movie about a dressmaker was destined to be nominated for Best Costume Design, and sure enough, Mark Bridges went on to take home the award.
Little Women (2019) - 7.9
Louisa May Alcott's classic story Little Women has been retold numerous times. It's been adapted into a stage play, a 2019 adaptation starring Laura Dern, Emma Watson, and Saoirse Ronan, among others.
It was praised as one of the best films of the year and was nominated for multiple BAFTAs, Critic's Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and six Oscars. Jacqueline Durran won for Best Costume Design, her second win of the decade.
The Artist (2011) - 7.9
When black and white film that could be a serious contender for an Oscars was almost unthinkable in 2011. However, at the Academy Awards, not only did The Artist win an Oscar, it won four, including Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Picture. The Artist became the first silent film to win an Oscar since Wings won the award at the inaugural Oscar celebration in 1929. Mark Bridges took home the award for Best Costume Design, being one of only a handful of men to win the award over the last thirty years.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) - 8.1
The Grand Budapest Hotel, is consistently seen as one of his best works (if not the best). The hotel, though not real, was inspired by the luxurious Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic (which also happens to be the setting of Queen Latifah's Last Holiday).
The film has a star-studded cast and was nominated for nine Oscars, winning four. Milena Canonero won for Best Costume Design, the fourth of her career.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) - 8.1
The post-apocalyptic Mad Max films are always classic box office hits. However, it's rare to have one released that not only goes on to gross hundreds of millions of dollars, but is also critically hailed as one of the greatest films of the decade. Mad Max: Fury Road walked the delicate tightrope of an audience and critical hit, and ended up getting nominated for 10 Oscars, including Best Picture. Jenny Beavan won the Oscar for Best Costume Design, her first win since 1985's A Room with a View.
