Lindy Hemming Talks Bond Style

Posted June 17th, 2012

Fashion blog Clothes On Film has conducted an exclusive interview with Lindy Hemming, the Academy Award winning costume designer who has worked on five James Bond films, including Casino Royale and all of Pierce Brosnan's outings. She is also curating the Designing 007 exhibition at the Barbican this July.

Hemming has given some insights into the exhibition, which will include both original and recreated costumes, sets, gadgets and cars from the Bond series. In co-operation with producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, Hemming has put together an extensive gallery of items, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the series.

One of the primary goals of the exhibition was to ensure that at least half of the artifacts were new to the public, having never been exhibited before. About 70 mannequins will be on display, showing the progression of fashion throughout the series, from Dr. No through Quantum of Solace. But the event won't be limited to just fashion; set design, storyboards, models, props, gadgets and special effects will all feature prominently.

The list of confirmed items includes:

• Original Ken Adam storyboards, drawings and designs.
• Brioni tuxedos as worn by Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan.
• The original white bikini worn by Ursula Andress in Dr. No, on loan for the exhibit.
• A recreation of Sean Connery's blue poplin trunks from Thunderball, by Sunspell (who made the polo shirts for Daniel Craig).
• A recreation of Pussy Galore's gold waistcoat, as worn by Honor Blackman.
• Bond's blue towel playsuit, re-created from it's appearance in Goldfinger, as worn by Sean Connery.

Hemming's work on the Bond series includes the orange bikini worn by Halle Berry in Die Another Day (a nod to Honey Rider's white bikini), and Daniel Craig's blue trunks in Casino Royale (a nod to Connery's poplin trunks in Thunderball.) She has also worked on the Batman films, a Harry Potter film, and Tomb Raider, among others.

Be sure to read the full interview if you're interested in attending, it doesn't give away too many spoilers.

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