FIDM has two costume exhibits going on at it's downtown LA museum right now.

*Disney Alice in Wonderland Design Exhibition
<http://www.fidm.com/resources/museum+galleries/>*
Welcome to Wonderland! See Colleen Atwood's original costumes from the
2010 Alice in Wonderland. Also showcased: Alice--inspired clothing and
products designed by a variety of celebrities, designers, and fashion
icons, including Sue Wong, Tom Binns, Avril Lavigne, and FIDM Alumni.

*May 27 - September 30, 2010*, 10 - 4, Tuesday - Saturday

Also connected to the Alice exhibit is a Costume Contest this Saturday.
Open to all /Alice in Wonderland/ characters, both original and Tim
Burton. Prizes for best Alice, Mad Hatter & Queen of Hearts. They also
have teas most Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Showing in the same exhibit space...
The Art of Costume Design Illustration
<http://www.fidm.com/resources/museum+galleries/>
FIDM Museum will display artwork showing the evolution of costume design
illustration from the past to the present and glimpses into the future
of both the film and the television industries.
*May 18 - June 12, 2010*

Full details at: http://www.fidm.edu/resources/museum+galleries
<http://www.fidm.edu/resources/museum+galleries/index.html>

Just some quick notes after my visit the other day....

The display of Costume Design Illustrations is wonderful. The exhibit
space is bright and airy. Designs are mounted around the walls in date
order. Some movies and designers are well know, others are wonderful
surprises that make you want to go out and rent the move to see them on
the actors.

It's interesting to look at the design and rendering styles as the
modern era approaches. Art becomes an important part of the design
presentation as well. Featured towards the ends are the Costume
Illustrators. At the very end you see designs that represent the fusion
of design, drawing and the most modern computer techniquess with a few
of the Avatar designs.

The display space is shared with dolls that have been exquisitely
costumes in miniatures of famous gowns from the past. Also, some of the
"Alice" runway dresses are in the center of the first area.

The Alice in Wonderland exhibit is in the back half of the exhibit
hall. The center consists of detailed scenes reminiscent of the
movie. I loved their tea-party set the best. Not sure if that's
because it had the best eye-candy or because I spent the most time
there. (More on the reason there at the end.) The Hatter's main suit
has so many great details. Pants too short with hems too deep -
mis-fitted sleeves and cuffs, weird pockets, odd gussets in the side.
Wonderful. Beside it were 3 rust-toned gowns I don't remember from the
movie... but they were just as fun, textured and weirdly detailed in the
strange odd way as his suit - knife pleats down the front of a gown,
partially including it's ruffle, another with inset pleats on the bottom
ruffle. Weird, but nice.

Another area had the blue-grey costumes - Alice's original party dress
with the net and the black bunnies, etc around it's hem. Also one of
her wraps with ribbon strips as well as a picture that reaches the sky
of her in the corset outfit while she adjusted her size.

The back section had Alice's armor, some of the court of the White
Queen, the Hatter's kilt outfit. the Red Queen's court dress, Alice's
Heart Queen's Ribbon mini-dress.

There was more, but I have to admit, because of how FIDM chose to lay
out their exhibit I didn't get to spend more than a few moments with any
of the back side. They have been removing more benches from their
exhibits lately. Two last time. Zip, zero, nada this time... so if
you're bringing anyone walking handicap, or elderly, or who just can't
stand long... I'm not sure it's worth coming down. The only seating is
outside the building in the full sun on the smoking benches. (Guards
have even mentioned the lack to management... nope, still no benches.)
Oh well... I'd really think that allowing access to all would be a good
way to promote their exhibits.

Final summary, it's a nice exhibit... and not to be missed, if you're
physically able... or you've got someone who can push you.

Some pictures from various articles:
http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_Fidm_exhibit_disney_2\
0000101
http://www.examiner.com/x-6335-LA-Womens-Fashion-Examiner~y2010m6d9-Alice-in-Won\
derland-Costume-Exhibit-at-FIDM-in-Downtown-LA
http://entertainment.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978263432

-Cat-


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