How I Travel: Costume Designer Colleen Atwood Thinks London Has the Best Menswear
As a costume designer extraordinaire, Colleen Atwood has shaped the visual landscape of cinema through her work on films like “Edward Scissorhands,” “Chicago,” and “Fantastic Beasts.” With such a portfolio, it comes as no surprise that her travels would be infused with an eye for style and craftsmanship.
Atwood asserts that London stands out as the pinnacle city for menswear, a sentiment supported by the city’s historical tapestry of tailoring and fashion. It’s in the classic cuts of Savile Row, where bespoke suits have been tailored to perfection since the 18th century, that Colleen finds endless inspiration. The attention to detail in these suits—the precise stitching and perfect fit—echoes the kind of dedication she brings to her own craft.
She often strolls through the bustling streets during her visits, admiring not just the storefronts of famed tailors but also getting a taste of contemporary fashion scenes that flank markets like Covent Garden and trendy areas such as Shoreditch. The contrast between the traditional and modern offers a visual feast that informs her design palette.
The vintage stores tucked away in areas like Notting Hill provide another haven for Atwood to unearth unique fabrics and patterns, elements she often weaves into her costuming work. Here, she finds menswear that carries stories in their threads, pieces with history that can be repurposed for the screen while preserving authenticity.
Beyond clothing, it’s the sartorial events like London Fashion Week Men’s that give Colleen an opportunity to explore emerging trends and innovative textiles. This confluence of history and innovation makes London not just a city but an experience—a continuous source of inspiration for a costume designer as esteemed as Atwood.
Her travels to London are more than just journeys; they are pilgrimages to the heart of menswear excellence. As much as this city influences her designs, Colleen Atwood leaves her mark on it too—be it through a conversation with an up-and-coming designer or a lecture at one of the fashion schools.
In conclusion, how does Colleen Atwood travel? Intentionally—each visit to London is both research and reverence, selecting pieces from the best menswear offerings with an artist’s touch. For Atwood, London is not just a place on a map; it’s an enduring relationship with threads that bind her creativity.