Look-of-the-Day

It’s probably unusual to select a Tim Burton movie for inspiration during the holiday season, but Edward Scissorhands provides one sad and sweet winter scene we just love.  Johnny Depp stars as the title character in this 1990 film, and a blonde Winona Ryder costars as his love interest.  While the boy with scissors for hands carves some ice sculptures in suburban California, he creates synthetic snowflakes, and his crush decides to dance around the unusual spectacle – right before a tragic accident occurs that will force them apart forever.  One of our favorite costume designers (and Burton’s go-to-girl) Colleen Atwood outfitted the movie, creating some delightfully tacky housewives, gothic outsiders and this picture-perfect popular girl in Ryder.  In this scene, she’s wearing a lovely off-the-shoulder belted and buttoned white dress with a full and flowing skirt.  Her purity is pristine and untouched, right before a rapid sequence of events that will effectively end her innocence.  It is touching, quirky and heartbreaking – like all great Burton films are.

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Look-of-the-Day

Helena Bonham Carter turned 45 today, and while she’s one of the most hated people on the red carpet, we kind of love that she does what she wants.  (Yes, we’re a blog dedicated to style, and whether you like it or not, Miss Bonham Carter certainly has her own unique sense of it…)  We’ve also discussed how fond we are of Colleen Atwood, the main costume designer Helena’s partner, Tim Burton, uses in the majority of his films.  Here is a still from the trio’s wacky picture, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.  As the worst baker in England, Helena plays Mrs. Lovett, a complete psychopath and devotee of Mr. Todd.  Here is one of her fantasies of the couple on a beach – in red, white and blue, she is both nautical (a great tribute to Memorial Day) and still maintains Burton and Atwood’s crazy-looking style.  And honestly, what’s a better accessory than Johnny Depp?

Atwood is the Queen of Our Hearts

“You can always paint the roses red.”  Colleen Atwood is one of our absolute favorite costume designers here at theSkinnyStiletto. The two-time Academy Award winner has been nominated once again this year for Alice in Wonderland.  Atwood reimagined the classic tale by updating some of literature’s beloved characters’ apparel, without detracting from the original story (which can’t be said about the entire film).

Helena Bonham Carter as "The Red Queen"

Atwood has worked with Tim Burton on several movies, and their creative minds usually produce very unique visuals.  She was also the lead designer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 2005-2006.  One of our editors is a member of the Museum of Modern Art, and was lucky enough to see the Burton Exhibit last year, which showcased numerous sketches of Atwood and Burton’s combined vision.

Anne Hathaway as "The White Queen"

Atwood omitted the white apron from Alice’s famous outfit, but kept the bright blue 19th century dress to remind viewers of Lewis Carroll’s original Alice.  Her costumes vary throughout the film, as she shrinks, grows and continuously needs new clothes after rabid creature attacks and misadventures.  (Our favorite would have to be the Queen of Hearts cocktail dress lent to her while visiting the insane monarch pictured above.)

Mia Wasikowska as "Alice"

Alice isn’t the only interestingly dressed character in the movie…  Atwood turned the beautiful Johnny Depp into a wacky-looking version of the Mad Hatter with crushed velvet suits and mismatched accessories.  Anne Hathaway plays the White Queen in creamy regal frocks with tiny gold detailing.  Her vastly dark eyebrows, nails and lips make her a fun and twisted royal.  And finally, what’s black, white and red all over?  It would be Helena Bonham Carter as the vicious Red Queen.  Since the characters of the Red Queen and the Queen of Hearts were combined for both the 1951 animated version and the 2010 film, Atwood includes hearts on all of Bonham Carter’s apropos gowns and tiaras.  Colleen Atwood is a creative force to be reckoned with, and we’re looking forward to seeing her future endeavors… so we can continue to copy her cinematic fashion choices!

Colleen Atwood's Alice in Wonderland Sketches