The mystique and allure of historical costumes never fail to fascinate, and when you add in the star power of Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Drew Barrymore and Madonna, the combination is potent for young and old, male and female alike. “Fashion in Film” showcases 36 period costumes worn by these and other high-profile celebrities in film classics known to all. The costumes, drawn from the collection of Cosprop Ltd., the renowned London costume house, present a sort of “Project Runway” that spans four centuries of style, from Elizabethan England to the “Golden Age” of 1890s America to 1950s Argentina. The films in which the costumes were used include “Elizabeth,” “Evita,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” “Ever After,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” “Out of Africa,” and “Titanic,” among others. Mounted photo murals and posters from the films complete the show.
The exhibition also showcases some of the historical textiles in the Allentown Art Museum's own collection. Textiles chosen from the periods represented by the films are included to give attendees a sampling of the riches of our own collection as well as a look at authentic fabrics of the period.