Dovecot Studios has announced the Scottish premiere of Costume Couture: Sixty Years of Cosprop, opening in July.
The exhibition is a celebration of six decades of creativity across film, television and theatre, presenting an opportunity to go behind the scenes of Cosprop, one of the most famous costume houses in the world.
Exhibiting some never-seen-before garments, this exhibition traces the full journey from script to screen with original costumes from the London costume house, founded in 1965 by Oscar and BAFTA-winning designer John Bright OBE, on display alongside design drawings, research material, mood boards, swatches and archive photography.
Throughout the exhibition, leading costume designers and actors reflect on their most celebrated work with Cosprop, from Helena Bonham Carter’s 1906 ensemble in A Room with a View to Maggie Smith’s wardrobe for Downton Abbey and Lesley Manville’s costumes in Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, revealing how each piece was researched, constructed and brought to life.
Highlights also include Nicole Kidman’s 1880s evening gown from The Portrait of a Lady, Jenna Coleman’s 1840 wedding dress in Victoria and Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow costume from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Dovecot Studios will be engaging with local costume design, theatre and performing art students, giving a platform to new innovative work and continuing Cosprop’s creative legacy in Scotland.
Since founding Cosprop in 1965, John Bright has built a team of meticulous experts who guide every production from initial research through to the final fitting.
At the heart of the operation sits the John Bright Collection: over 8,000 original garments that give makers direct access to authentic fabrics, construction methods and period silhouettes found nowhere else.
Every piece is built from scratch in the Cosprop workroom using techniques and textiles true to the era, even down to dyeing the fabrics by hand.
Designer Penny Rose, comments: “There’s a lot of fantasy in the story, but not in the costumes. We want these clothes to look like they’ve been slept in and worn forever. Ageing and dyeing for a period film are absolutely vital.”
Celia Joicey, Dovecot Studio’s director, said: “Dovecot Studios’ appreciation of art, design and textile practice makes this a natural collaboration, perfectly aligned with our tradition of creating and celebrating contemporary tapestry.
“Cosprop’s extraordinary commitment to craftsmanship, historical accuracy and innovation resonates strongly with our own values, and we are delighted to present this landmark exhibition to Scottish audiences.”
This exhibition is organised by the Fashion and Textile Museum and is curated by Keith Lodwick in collaboration with Dennis Nothdruft, head of exhibitions at the Fashion and Textile Museum.
