Betsy Heimann designed for Kate Hudson as Penny Lane in Almost Famous (2000).

Whether they are working on films set in the reality of the contemporary era, a fantastic imaginary world, or one that requires historical accuracy, all costume designers approach their work with a profound attention to character and a desire to serve the story. This Academy exhibition celebrates the work of these consummate artists and includes costumes designed for films of all genres, all released during the last five years, with each costume communicating the essence of the character for whom it was designed.

The Academy’s Fourth Floor Gallery will be host to fifty original costumes, each one personally selected by the exhibiting designer from his or her recent body of work. Each will be displayed, along with the original concept sketch. Photographs and film clips will round out the picture of how these costumes were worn on film by the actor. Arranged not along thematic or chronological lines but in groups according to color, the result is a strong visual statement that underscores the design challenges posed by films of all genres.

	Laura Jean Shannon designed for Will Ferrell as Buddy in Elf (2003).

The costumes in this exhibition are much more than ‘clothes;’ they bring the character from the page of a script to vivid life. Some are amusing and whimsical, like those created for Austin Powers by Deena Appel, Big Fish (Colleen Atwood), 102 Dalmatians (Anthony Powell) or Elf (Laura Jean Shannon). Others are dark or mysterious, like Spider-Man (James Acheson), The Matrix II (Kym Barrett), Shaft (Ruth Carter) or Pirates of the Caribbean (Penny Rose).

Other sartorial moods include fun and frothy (Legally Blonde 2, Sophie DeRakoff Carbonell), martial (The Last Samurai, Ngila Dickson; Gladiator, Janty Yates) and early-twentieth century Hispanic (Frida, Julie Weiss). Beautifully designed contemporary gowns and men’s clothing are placed shoulder-to-shoulder with beautifully constructed period clothes and high-concept pieces. Costumes created for action, comedy and specific visual or dramatic effects are all included; the result is a vivid snapshot of where the art of costume design stands today.

	A 125-page soft-cover, 9”x10” horizontal publication, containing a full-color cover, a commentary from and filmography for each exhibiting designer, full-color photographs of each costume on disply as worn by the actor and the accompanying costume sketch.

The Grand Lobby Gallery will serve as an extension of the full-scale installation in the Fourth Floor Gallery. Additional costume sketches, process boards, swatches, research materials and other items further illuminate the process that costume designers undertake. The exhibition was organized in association with the Costume Designers Guild. The Oscar-nominated members of the curatorial committee are Academy Governor Jeffrey Kurland, Guild President Deborah Nadoolman Landis and Judianna Makovsky.