This year’s film award season has seen an array of incredible talent.
The Sessions held at BAFTA HQ shone a light on the makers of the most incredible films to grace the screen in 2017. From Production Design to Hair and Makeup, along with talks from this year’s EE Rising Star Nominees, the panels offered an exclusive in-depth look at the work and passion that is put behind each film and talent nominated for this year’s awards.
The Costume panel featured talks with designers Julian Day (Bohemian Rhapsody), Sandy Powell (Mary Poppins Returns/The Favourite), Mary Zophres (The Ballad of Buster Scruggs) and Alexandra Byrne (Mary Queen of Scots).
With such complex subjects to tackle, the designers had no easy job when it came to conceptualising the garment aspect of the productions.
For Mary Poppins Returns, Sandy Powell delved in depth into the film’s universe in order to accurately portray the underlying messages. With very little information about the iconic scene that sees Mary Poppins transforming into a cartoon character while traveling inside a teacup – Powell only knew that the art directors would be using watercolour. Hence why her experiments with fabric started early on in the production, while testing different paints and textures that would translate well along with the scene’s set design.
For Mary Queen of Scots and Bohemian Rhapsody, the designers collaborated with Swarovski in creating the iconic looks worn by Margot Robbie, Saoirse Ronan and Rami Malek.
Julian Day used 56, 380 Swarovski crystals for Bohemian Rhapsody’s performance outfits, adding outstanding dimension to the production’s overall visual aesthetic.
Moreover, Academy Award-winning Costume Designer Alexandra Byrne made use of a variety of Swarovski crystals in order to create the striking hairpieces and garments worn by the monarchs in Mary Queen of Scots. The brand also created bespoke crystals in Black Diamond and Padparadscha colourways for Byrne to recreate a crystal and pearl charm necklace worn by Elizabeth, which was inspired by an archive piece of the period.
With such an incredible array of nominees, this year’s BAFTAs will be a challenge to predict. However, each designer as an expert in their respective field, have proven that they are worthy of their acclaim.
The EE British Academy Film Awards is broadcast on BBC One at 9pm on Sunday 18th February. For advice and inspiration from the best creative minds working in film, games and television, visit:www.bafta.org/guru
