Nick Verreos, fashion Guru, gives a guided tour of the costumes on display at FIDM for the Oscar nominated film ‘Anonymous’.

Designer and first time Oscar nominee, Lisy Christl had the joy of creating over 300 costumes for Roland Emmerich’s Elizabethan period drama ‘Anonymous’. This highly acclaimed  movie tells a story based on the romance between Queen Elizabeth I (Vanessa Redgrave/Joely Richardson), and her lover, Edward De Vere (Rhys Ifans/Jamie Campbell Bower), The Earl of Oxford who it was theorized, was the real author who penned the plays attributed to the Bard, William Shakespeare.

Lisy Christl, had reportedly dreamed of doing a film set in the Elizabethan era ever since she became aware of its lavish costuming during a visit to a London museum as a child.

‘Anonymous’ is a visual stunner and a delight for anyone who drools over the fashion of the Elizabethan era like I do. Months of research and trips to museums and galleries paid off for Christl. The acting is superb and richly supported by the costumes which really set the mood and tone for each character and the entire film.

Tricks of the Trade: One of my favourite elements of the costume design is the visual interpretation of Elizabeth I; from a young queen in tight fitting bodices and bright, fresh colours to an older, mature monarch with giant sleeves to match her massive authority and severe colour blocking to match her serious tone. Christl spent months scouring flea markets to find vintage fabrics, collecting embroidery from old Indian saris and Romanian aprons to create over 20 gowns for the look of Queen Elizabeth I.

To create the look of clothing that was intricate, and hard worn Christl boiled, painted, powered, waxed, distressed and dyed fabrics to give them a 16th century look, one that didn’t involve fabric softeners or washing machines. Due to the highly unique nature of each costume only one of each was made.

“It’s not possible to wash costumes like this — they are unique. The actors had to wear them from beginning to end,” 

               Christl (Oscar.Go).

Lauren Schell