REINVENTION comes in the form of a dress in the new Aussie movie, The Dressmaker.
So what are the style lessons to take from actors Kate Winslet and Sarah Snook?
Costume designer Marion Boyce who, along with Margot Wilson, styled the outfits in the film (which mostly consist of stunning custom-made frocks), as worn by Winslet and Snook — who had a “make under” for her role as frump-turned-stunner Gertrude.
And while Liam Hemswoth spends most of the movie wearing farming attire, the Hunger Games star features in a rather memorable shirtless scene.
These are the fashion rules according to The Dressmaker.
DRESS UP
Make an effort and don’t wait until the last-minute to throw together an outfit, says The Dressmaker costume designer Marion Boyce.
She styled the costumes worn by Hemsworth and Snook (while Wilson oversaw Winslet’s wardrobe), including a dress Snook wore dubbed the “how to seal the deal” frock (it got her the guy).
“When I throw something on and I haven’t given it a lot of thought, I think it’s just a bit more pedestrian,” Boyce told News Corp Australia.
“It doesn’t even have to be a dress — it can be an outfit or ensemble.
“I then walk in a different manner, I hold myself in a different manner with a lot more confidence.”
Snook, who also stars in ABC TV series The Beautiful Lie, admitted she enjoyed having a make under (as opposed to a makeover) for her role.
“She was a frumpy girl and then she puts this amazing dress on, a lick of lipstick, and turns into someone else.
“When you dress up, whether it’s in a black dress ... you become a different kind of character.”
So where is the actor more at ease — in a dress or jeans?
“I’m much more of a jeans, practical dresser but I have been having a bit more attention to what I wear,” Snook laughed.
INVESTMENT BUYING
Purchasing quality items over disposable fashion is another of Boyce’s tips.
“Think outside the square and don’t just wear what the fashion industry wants you to,” she said.
“In that I mean, there are lot of clothes that you can put your own spin on and own edge to.
“You can buy classic pieces that will last you a long time and then you can spend money on accessories to reinterpret (the outfits).”
REINVENTION ISN’T JUST FOR MADONNA
Snook is a fan of “quirky” dressing but also gets in touch with her glamorous side.
“I like a bit quirky, a bit strange, but then at the same time, I love putting a dress on ... and a pair of high heels. It’s like a costume,” Snook told News Corp Australia.
She used to travel with one pair of heels — now she takes six.
But her favourites are a pair of red Jimmy Choos she got on sale.
“I managed to get them for something like $300 and they were down from $1500.
“On set I was wearing heels all day ... and that trains you to keep wearing heels.”
Meantime, Boyce said an organza cape she designed for Snook was her favourite fashion moment.
“I made it out of 40m of silk organza,” Boyce said.
LIAM’S LOOKS
Liam Hemsworth can really pull off a suit and in once scene, appears sans shirt while Winselt’s character measures him for a suit fitting.
“He had his boxer shorts quite low and he had pushed his pants down (to sit on his hips),” Boyce said with a laugh.
“That was just something that he did in the scene in character.
“Liam has got an extraordinary body and wears clothes so well. You could pop him in a potato sack and he’d still look amazing.”
The Aussie actor relished wearing a 1950s footy uniform in a scene where his character plays Aussie rules.
“He actually ran outside, he had a friend with him, and he ran outside and said, ‘Look at me!’ He was so excited,” Boyce said.
The Dressmaker is out now.
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