FASHION AND FILM

"Film and fashion are totally intertwined," announced Colleen Atwood, Oscar-winning costume designer of Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha and many, many of Tim Burton's films - including the soon-to-be-released Sweeney Todd. In conversation with Bronwyn Cosgrave, ex-Voguette and author of the acclaimed Made for Each Other: Fashion and the Academy Awards, now out in paperback, Atwood told said: "Fashion influences me, definitely, but not so much the fashion of the day as fashion of a particular time - such as the Fifties or Sixties." While Atwood has, at times, been able to buy the clothes she uses as costumes, more usually they will have to be made, due to the specifics of the filming. For example, the leather suit that Johnny Depp wore for Edward Scissorhands was not easy to work with as filming was in Florida, complete with the Florida climate. A cool suit was designed to be worn underneath and Johnny would walk off set into special fans, which would help his body temperature readjust. "The actors often make their own changes to the costumes during fittings," she added. "Especially British actors: they're generally more comfortable in what they're wearing, meaning the costumes become clothes - I think it is their stage training." Asked if she was aware of influencing fashion (who hasn't, at least once, found their references for the new season in a particular film?) she replied: "At times…Halloween especially - but Tim Burton's films do seem to find an audience in the fashion world." Sweeney Todd, when it comes out next year, is sure to give us some new ideas - Helena Bonham Carter's dresses are gothic perfection. (December 18 2007, AM) Fiona McKenzie Johnston