Trevor Hogg chats with Academy Award winner Colleen Atwood about her Oscar nominated costume design work on Snow White and the Huntsman…
Contending for an Oscar is nothing new for Colleen Atwood (The Silence of the Lambs) who has won three Academy Awards and received her 10th nomination for Snow White and the Huntsman (2012); the veteran costume designer who frequently collaborates with Tim Burton (Alice in Wonderland) and Rob Marshall (Chicago) was already familiar with first-time director Rupert Sanders. “I knew Rupert from commercials so it wasn’t working with a stranger. We had a good rapport and lots of laughs.” The reinterpretation of the story about a princess who escapes her evil Queen stepmother and seeks to reclaim her kingdom is closer to Brothers Grimm version than the classic animated film made by Disney in 1937. “He wanted a dark fairy tale world loosely based on 11th to 12th century with texture and style.” Serving as a creative inspiration was a London museum established in 1897 which houses a variety of fine and decorative arts from the 15th to the 19th centuries. “The Wallace Collections’ amazing armoury was a starting point for my silver army as it has some of the most amazing armour I have seen.”
The outfits had to be cinematic as well practical for the performers to wear. “I rigged the costumes with stretch and lighter weight materials to function on camera but look real.” An essential element was required to balance the fantasy aspect with the grounded reality tone. “By starting with research as a basis then spinning out from there.” No particular costume stands out. “At this point not really, it is a world not one thing.” An organic approach was used to craft the costume of The Huntsman portrayed by Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers) who spends his time in the outdoors. “Taking materials that were used at time that would have had, and giving them handmade quality.” Initially, the imprisoned Snow White played by Kristen Stewart (Panic Room) resembles a peasant rather than royalty. “These costumes were layers.” Stewart transforms into princess who leads an army. “The character evolved so I kept to similar colour mood and added armour to warrior so it didn’t look new or flashy.”
As for the diabolical monarch embodied by Charlize Theron (Prometheus), the native of Yakima, Washington incorporated intricate details such as beetle wings into her wardrobe. “She represented death so all things that are by-products were starting point for her materials.” Legacy Effects led by Effects Supervisor Lindsay MacGowan was recruited to produce the evil forces commanded by Theron. “They made the Dark Army from designs that Rupert and I gave them and added some great touches.” The scope of fantasy epic was the biggest challenge. “Running a show with thousands of costumes being made and fit while shooting; it required lots of hard work, long days and a great team.” Contemplating what resulted in her receiving an Oscar nomination for Snow White and the Huntsman, Colleen Atwood replies, “The craftsmanship involved and the level of design.”
Images © 2012. Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Many thanks to Colleen Atwood for taking the time for this interview.
To learn more visit the official website for Snow White and the Huntsman, and read our visual effects profile titled Grimm Reality: The Making of Snow White and the Huntsman.
Trevor Hogg is a freelance video editor and writer who currently resides in Canada.
Originally published February 17, 2013. Updated April 14, 2018.
