**This is a new series on stylealchemy, titled Cinema Aesthetic, which explores the importance of wardrobe and set design within film (mostly) but may include music video and television**
I’ll be the first to admit that I am a sucker for sweeping, historical dramas with elaborate costumes with corsetry and bustles galore but great costume design doesn’t always have to involve another century. Ghost World is one of my favorite movies and I adore its amazing eye candy in terms of setting. The dialogue is perfect for these complex characters who are truly quirky and the props and clothing contributes to their off-beat vibe.
For me, Enid (Thora Birch) is the perfect vehicle for that outsider who just doesn’t know what she wants and doesn’t quite fit in with everyone else. Her clothes are a collection of odds and ends from the thrift store, she wears vintage frames, little girl barrettes in her hair as she searches garage sales for music to listen to on her record player. You immediately understand that she isn’t pretentious, this is who she is. Costume Designer, Mary Zophres does the impressive job of helping to create this illusion of those who are on the fringe with the main characters and the normalcy of everyone else.
Struggling to find a way to relate to everyone else when others don’t get you, you start to collect a menagerie of like-minded individuals. Enter all the other folks like Seymour (the wonderful Steve Buscemi) as the eccentric older loser with the enviable vinyl collection of 78″ records and a cool apartment. Seymour has a sad, nerdy quality which is emphasized by his clothes or lack there of style. Best friend, Rebecca who is slowly becoming more interested in moving away from this scene and other characters help to round out this movie which has both its funny and depressing moments.
Here is a short trailer of this little gem.
♥ the alchemist
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oh my god… i loved this movie, it captured my feelings of total loss of direction after i graduated high school.
I love this movie! Have you read the book? I think a polo dress printed with the artwork would be the ULTIMATE tribute… with some Doc Martens… oh yeah!
THANKS millions for starting this new series and starting this series with such a wonderful movie. I look forward new entries!
lady coveted: this feeling didn’t hit me right after graduation but it did happen at some point and i think that’s why people really respond to this movie.
heather: no, i haven’t read it…but everyone who has tells me that its the best. that would be a great tribute. hmm…
bobble-bee: hey! there are many more in the works! i’m really excited about it. the series actually started last week with sweeney todd, there’s a great behind the scenes video with colleen atwood in it.
oh! i thought this was the first post… oops… im going to check this sweeney todd right now!
In your opinion, what’s the best movie ever created?
haha – i watched this movie at 4 in the morning after getting baked, and i thought it was amazing