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Costume Designer Nolan Miller.
Credit: Steven Silverstein.

Spotlight On Nolan Miller
A Legacy Beyond Shoulder Pads

By Gina Silverstein, December 17, 2011

If Coco Chanel promoted the revolutionary freedom of the little black dress, it was Costume Designer Nolan Miller who gave women a sense of empowerment. His heavily shoulder-padded suits for the hit show "Dynasty" in the 1980s spawned a new kind of woman in popular culture – one who looked as if she could command a board room. Miller's success was in part due to the collaboration he enjoyed with actress Joan Collins during the show's eight-year run. Collins not only fearlessly played the ruthless character of Alexis, she was equally gutsy in her approach to costumes. Together, Collins and Miller wove a lasting impression on audiences and caused a sea change in how women dressed. Miller's shoulder pads went beyond helping to define the silhouette as they had during World War II. His masculine shapes progressively became a symbol of women's attempt to break the glass ceiling to get ahead.  Read the whole story »

CD Brenda Cooper
at the CDG Holiday party, sponsored by
Western Costume Company.

The CDG's Holiday Party 2011

By Gina Silverstein, December 6, 2011

On the evening of December 3^rd, the Costume Designers Guild held its annual Holiday Party in Studio City for members, family and friends. More than a hundred party-goers turned out to spread holiday cheer at the catered event. Several days before, the decoration committee, including CD's Molly Campbell, Pie Lombardi, Gail McMullen, May Routh, Lois de Armond, Jane Ruhm and Sharon Day, along with ACD's Chloe Yoon and Jose Camilo – took on the bare walls of the meeting room, putting their design skills to work. Like Santa's elves, they trekked through the CDG offices loaded down with seasonal tricks, filling the hallways with lights, ornaments, table decorations, poinsettias and a Douglas Fir. In a flurry of activity, they magically transformed the starkness of the office environ into a warm and inviting space for the CDG festivities.  Read the whole story »

When a Costume Design
Becomes Iconic

By Anna Wyckoff, November 25, 2011

With their resplendent period glory, sweeping costume epics often dominate the quest for accolades and gold statuettes.  But an entirely different aspect of costume design also triggers seismic shifts in the public psyche.

While these garments may appear deceptively simple, their images sear into the communal consciousness.  As years and decades pass, these unassuming choices stand the test of time.  Their mainstream impact finally becomes apparent because a costume's cultural importance is best judged through the lens of history.

Given the challenges of a ruthless and unforgiving production schedule, few Costume Designers set out to create cultural icons.  But sometimes their intuitive expression of character in a costume resonates with the public, captures the zeitgeist of a time, and the garment takes on a life of its own, independent of the film or television show of its origin.  Read the whole story »

"All over the US, hard-working Americans depend on creative jobs for their livelihoods."
Courtesy of Creative America.

Supporting "Creative America"
Against Piracy

By Gina Silverstein, October 18, 2011

Film and television piracy has become such a serious threat that "Creative America" was formed in July of this year as a grassroots organization united against content theft. On October 17, Creative America launched its official website – www.creativeamerica.org in an effort to educate the entertainment community and provide a collective voice to fight for stronger laws and policies that will protect American jobs and creativity.  According to Creative America's new website, two million middle class workers across the U.S. "who make their living in film and television" are the primary victims of content theft. Thieves profiting from stolen movies and TV shows have cost 140,000 jobs, $5.5 billion in lost earnings and have taken a toll on residuals, health funds and pension plans that depend on those revenues.  Read the whole story »

Theadora Van Runkle in the garden
of her Los Angeles home.

For Theadora, With Love

By Anna Wycoff, December 8, 2011

The passing of Costume Designer Theadora Van Runkle prompted an avalanche of tributes recognizing her significant contributions to the fields of costume and fashion design, the good fortune which catapulted her career onto the world stage, and the talent that kept her there.  Read the tribute »

A bejeweled crown
for Michael Jackson
built by Studio Arts Metal.

Design Details:
Focus On Jewelry

Maggie Schpak
Scott and Jennifer Janiak-Ross

By Anna Wyckoff, June 10, 2011

The close up is one of the most intriguing techniques of cinematography. The intimacy of the proximity vaults the audience through the movie screen, and puts it a breath away from the character. Details like eyelashes, skin texture and jewelry can be as big as a billboard and high definition television has brought this penetrating gaze home.

Few craftsmen specialize in the creation of jewelry for film and television. Of them, even fewer have survived the economic climate of the past few years. We converse with the artisans at two companies, each with a very individual approach, whose success is a testament to their excellence in a rarified field. Read the whole story »