Clothes on Film's 2011 Costume Design Round Up
22.05.12
The King’s Speech (released 7th January) also drew fleeting attention to the craft of costume design. A period drama, or ‘PD’ (Press Darling), on this occasion set primarily in the 1930s, remains the most popular genre for costume coverage in mainstream media. Generally there is an assumption that design budgets, costume, production, art, etc are immense, but this is rarely the case. The King’s Speech costume designer Jenny Beavan had little to work with. Some of the coats worn by Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth were vintage, although due to the actress’ tiny hands using period gloves was impossible so they had to be custom made instead.
Jenny Beavan also had to placate the demands of Colin Firth in the title role as King George VI. Really nowhere near slim enough to be playing George VI, Firth was justly concerned about his bulging silhouette, apparently to the degree that he refused to wear a suit jacket beneath his overcoat for fear it would bulk him out. Those who attack costume designers for historical inaccuracy on film should also consider the demands of star wattage. If Oscar winning actor Colin Firth does not want to wear a jacket, he is not going to wear a jacket.
Source: Clothes on Film