While indulging in the ultimate slug-fest on Thursday I added a movie to my day. After reading the Threads magazine, I needed one more activity in which I would normally never indulge during the work week, a movie. Thus, Jane Eyre. Thank you On Demand. I have always been a Charlotte Bronte fan. So Gothic, so bleak, so moody. This version of the movie is pretty good. It portrays much emotion and no babbling conversation. Stark scenery, sparse rooms, functional clothing. The actors are not gussied up in super fine garments, not painted like a Smashbox commercial, and have very controlled mannerisms that I suspect were close to period perfect. Shadowed by firelight and candlelight the clothing initially seems rather drab, but close inspection reveals some very interesting details.
- the dresses were all in dark colors except for the aristocratic children who appeared in only 1 or 2 scenes.
- all the dresses were accented by white collars. The collars were made from what appeared to be cottons, linens, some silks, embroidered and plain.
- On the collars, there were some ruffles. They were sometimes in a self fabric and on occasion in lace. Many of the collars were finished with a simple rolled edge, this could be easily done with a serger.
- Some had little neck ties as well, these were in plaids and paisleys.
- Most interesting was a construction technique I had never noticed before. The bodice was shaped with bias cut fabric on either side of a center front button placket. There were no darts, the bias fabric shaped the dress.
- Night gowns were white muslin, housecoats were in heavy, sometimes quilted, brocades. Remember, those old castles are cold and damp.
Designs are by Michael O'Connor, photo courtesy of Focus Features.
The wedding dress. Photo courtesy of Focus Features
So where am I going with this? I became interested in the collars, specifically, because I plan to make some shirts/blouses in September. I call this research:) Anyway, if you have some spare time and this genre interests you, I think you will enjoy this movie. Very well done.
More costume photo's here:
http://www.genevievevalentine.com/2011/02/fun-with-lobby-cards-jane-eyre/
The background story:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Eyre_%282011_film%29
The film trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8PLpXvhtlc
In clothing of this day, Mia is not just a great talent, she is a lovely young woman.
Wonderland: Mia Wasikowska attends the New York premiere of Jane Eyre at the Tribeca Grand Hotel in New York
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1364796/Mia-Wasikowska-ruffle-dress-premi-Jane-Eyre.html#ixzz1WBz3xq1a
Gratuity Moment: giving myself permission to essentially "waste" the day.
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