The Fashion and Textile Museum in London has opened a major showcase celebrating six decades of film and television costume design. The Cosprop 60-year costume exhibition, titled Costume Couture, highlights the work of the renowned costume house founded by John Bright in 1965.
Bright created Cosprop with the aim of bringing realism to screen wardrobes. His belief was that clothing should look authentic to its era, making it universally convincing. That philosophy shaped countless productions and set new standards for period dramas.
The exhibition features costumes from some of cinema and television’s most memorable moments. Among them is Colin Firth’s famous white shirt from Pride and Prejudice (1995), Meryl Streep’s safari outfit from Out of Africa (1985), and Johnny Depp’s rugged attire from Pirates of the Caribbean. Each piece reflects the detailed research and craftsmanship that defined Cosprop’s work.
Curated by film historian Keith Lodwick, Costume Couture also includes Oscar-winning designs from A Room With a View (1985), Howards End (1992), and Little Women (2019). Lodwick explained that Cosprop’s focus has always been on making clothing that feels historically accurate. This attention to authenticity, he noted, ensures the costumes remain timeless on screen.
The exhibition spans generations of screen history, from BBC classics to modern streaming hits like Netflix’s The Leopard. Even costumes created for background characters are on display, showing the dedication of Cosprop’s artisans to every detail.
Beyond the garments, the show highlights traditional skills that are now rare in mainstream fashion. Hand-stitching, embroidery, and millinery are among the techniques Cosprop continues to preserve. These practices, once common, are kept alive through the company’s ongoing work.
For Bright, the event is not only about honoring the past but also about inspiring future designers. He described history as the foundation for new creativity, reminding visitors that craftsmanship and storytelling remain central to costume design.
Costume Couture is currently open at the Fashion and Textile Museum, offering the public a rare chance to explore cinematic history through the art of clothing.
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