“Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” is lively with sharp acting, and the image of a white pleated dress blowing up on the street in the movie “The Seven Year Itch” are just two of the most special things.
x
Marilyn Monroe is still a symbol of seductive beauty.
Besides the immortal legacy left behind in cinema and positive influences in fashion, she is also a measure of glamorous beauty that captivates viewers.
x
The movie “My Week With Marilyn” approaches another side of Monroe: Sweet but very vulnerable.
The film was introduced 4 years ago under the direction of director Simon Curtis – in 2011 – and today ELLE would like to introduce the fashion in the film of this emotional and memorable film.
x
Poster of the film in the UK market.
The film tells the story of the filming of `The Prince And The Showgirl` in England in 1956 when Marilyn was 30, and living with her third husband.
x
Marilyn in the movie is a sad girl.
The disturbing silence in the film is almost a prelude to what will happen next, which is bittersweet: Marilyn returns to America to film her most iconic film “Some Like It Hot”.
x
A scene from the movie.
“Michelle has the vulnerability of a little girl,” the film’s costume designer – Jill Taylor – said of the lead actress.
x
There is a certain quality about Michelle Williams, relatively innocent and sweet like Marilyn Monroe.
Taylor said that applying Marilyn’s body measurements to Michelle so that Michelle truly resembles Marilyn is not simple.
x
Sketch by film costume designer Jill Taylor.
Sketch by film costume designer Jill Taylor.
Sketch by film costume designer Jill Taylor.
Sketch by film costume designer Jill Taylor.
Sketch by film costume designer Jill Taylor.
Taylor created the characters’ vintage-style costumes in just about eight weeks – including sourcing furniture at fairs and vintage stores – to portray the image of Monroe and the characters around her.
In the opening scene, Michelle Williams transforms into Marilyn Monroe in a white dress.
x
The white dress was filmed continuously for 11 days straight, and on the 4th day, the metal zipper broke.
Jill Taylor took reference from movie scenes played by Marilyn Monroe to recreate Michelle’s outfit.
“That white dress was filmed continuously for 11 days straight, and on the fourth day, the metal zipper broke,” Taylor said.
Jill Taylor is not only under time and budget pressure, but also under personal pressure as she is also a Marilyn Monroe fan.
x
A scene filled with laughter in the movie.
“She is famous for her dresses that attract everyone’s attention, but after studying hundreds of books and photos, we discovered that Marilyn actually always dressed comfortably.
x
Sunglasses and chiffon scarves are two of Marilyn’s signature accessories.
As mentioned, the film recreates Marilyn’s weakest time.
x
Marilyn has a very simple and comfortable dressing sense.
The main color palette that Jill Taylor decided for Michelle Williams included the neutral tones of that period: White, black, beige, cream and camel.
x
The costumes are all looked up directly from found photos of real people and real things.
Therefore, the costumes in the film are very close to the historical reality of the characters
In addition, long coats draped loosely over the shoulders, sweaters, men’s shirts, cropped shirts, pencil skirts, chiffon scarves, and dark sunglasses have created an effective, immediate effect.
x
The color tone for fashion in the film is very neutral, gentle and elegant.
To succeed in creating and duplicating the image between Marilyn Monroe and Michelle Williams, the coordination ratio of clothes and accessories must be absolutely meticulously adjusted.
Taking reference materials for design work, Taylor relied on photos of the real cast and crew of the 1957 movie `The Prince Anh The Show Girl`. In the photo, there is a young girl.
x
Costume assistant Lucy.
The color palette for Lucy’s clothes is more muted and vintage with shirts, A-line skirts and short cardigans.
Eddie and Emma on set.
At the same time, the photo also inspired the men’s costumes in the film.
x
The character Colin (Eddie Redmayne) is British with a more classic, neat dressing style.
Compared to American characters who only wear shirts and vests, Eddie Redmayne’s character often appears with 3 pieces: vest (or sweater), vest, shirt.
In England, everything is still very formal, not as comfortable as in America and that difference is easily seen in the costumes of Dominic Cooper’s character Milton, Toby Jones’ journalist character and Dougray Scott’s Arthur Miller.
x
The difference between “British” and “American” clothing is evident in the way the characters dress.
Like the quiet melody of the soundtrack composed by Conrad Pope, the film’s fashion and the film’s emotional flow are very well connected, harmonized with the actors’ great acting.
x
A scene of Marilyn and Colin’s getaway.
—
See more:
Fashion in the movie: American Hustle
Fashion in the movie: Bride Wars
Fashion in the movie: Yves Saint Laurent
Analyzes of fashion in other films