Fairy Tales: Behind-the-seams of the costumes for the film ‘Mirror Mirror’

Tarsem Singh, India/United States b.1961 / Production still from Mirror Mirror 2012 / 35mm, colour, Dolby Digital, 106 minutes, United States/Canada, English / Director: Tarsem Singh / Producers: Bernie Goldmann, Ryan Kavanaugh, Brett Ratner / Script: Marc Klein, Jason Keller, Melisa Wallack / Cinematographer: Brendan Galvin / Editors: Robert Duffy, Nick Moore / Cast: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, Jordan Prentice, Mark Povinelli, Joe Gnoffo, Danny Woodburn, Sebastian Saraceno, Martin Klebba, Ronald Lee Clark / © 2012 UV RML NL Assets LLC. / Photograph: Jan Thijs / Image courtesy: Relativity Media

Tarsem Singh, India/United States b.1961 / Production still from Mirror Mirror 2012 / 35mm, colour, Dolby Digital, 106 minutes, United States/Canada, English / Director: Tarsem Singh / Producers: Bernie Goldmann, Ryan Kavanaugh, Brett Ratner / Script: Marc Klein, Jason Keller, Melisa Wallack / Cinematographer: Brendan Galvin / Editors: Robert Duffy, Nick Moore / Cast: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, Jordan Prentice, Mark Povinelli, Joe Gnoffo, Danny Woodburn, Sebastian Saraceno, Martin Klebba, Ronald Lee Clark / © 2012 UV RML NL Assets LLC. / Photograph: Jan Thijs / Image courtesy: Relativity Media / View full image

QAGOMA conservator Michael Marendy gives us an insight into Eiko Ishioka‘s exquisitely designed costumes made for the film Mirror Mirror (2012).

The ‘Cream wedding dress’ costume (illustrated) worn by Julia Roberts as ‘Queen Clementianna’ is made from 70 metres of Duchess Silk Satin creating a multitude of overlapping petals and vine tendrils from bodice to skirt, and because it’s so large and heavy, required a remake of both the hoop petticoat and the soft covering before it could go on display in ‘Fairy Tales’.

Here we take you behind-the-scenes to show you the preparation required to display these stunning costumes.

Watch | Go behind-the-seams

Watch | Designing the costumes

Watch | Director Tarsem Singh’s filmic adaptation

‘Fairy Tales’ | Preparing the hoop petticoat and soft covering for the Cream wedding dress

What is a fairy tale without a ball gown? Conservators Michael Marendy and Elizabeth Thompson are weaving their magic behind-the-scenes getting ready for ‘Fairy Tales’. Conservator Michael Marendy preparing the support for the ‘Cream wedding dress’ designed by Eiko Ishioka for Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA

What is a fairy tale without a ball gown? Conservators Michael Marendy and Elizabeth Thompson are weaving their magic behind-the-scenes getting ready for ‘Fairy Tales’.

Conservator Michael Marendy preparing the support for the ‘Cream wedding dress’ designed by Eiko Ishioka for Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA / View full image

Conservator Michael Marendy preparing the support for the ‘Cream wedding dress’ designed by Eiko Ishioka for Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA

Conservator Michael Marendy preparing the support for the ‘Cream wedding dress’ designed by Eiko Ishioka for Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA / View full image

What is a fairy tale without a ball gown? Conservators Michael Marendy and Elizabeth Thompson are weaving their magic behind-the-scenes getting ready for ‘Fairy Tales’. Conservator Michael Marendy preparing the support for the ‘Cream wedding dress’ designed by Eiko Ishioka for Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA

What is a fairy tale without a ball gown? Conservators Michael Marendy and Elizabeth Thompson are weaving their magic behind-the-scenes getting ready for ‘Fairy Tales’.

Conservator Michael Marendy preparing the support for the ‘Cream wedding dress’ designed by Eiko Ishioka for Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA / View full image

Showcased in the ‘Fairy Tales’ exhibition are eight incredible creations by Eiko Ishioka, created for Mirror Mirror — director Tarsem Singh’s filmic adaptation of ‘Snow White’. Richly detailed and sumptuously executed, Ishioka’s costumes bring the impossible luxury of fairy tales to life.

The centrepiece of these extraordinary creations is the exceptionally romantic ‘Cream wedding dress’ costume for Snow’s stepmother, Queen Clementianna. With its heavy layers of silken petals and vine motif, the garment has a vast circumference of 8.5 metres, weighs approximately 27 kilograms, and was designed to dominate the room.

‘Fairy Tales’ unfolds across three themed chapters. ‘Into the Woods’ explores the conventions and characters of traditional fairy tales alongside their contemporary retellings. ‘Through the Looking Glass’ presents newer tales of parallel worlds that are filled with unexpected ideas and paths. ‘Ever After’ brings together classic and current tales to celebrate aspirations, challenge convention and forge new directions.

Travel with us in our weekly series through each room and theme of the ‘Fairy Tales’ exhibition at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).

Costumes from Mirror Mirror (2012)

Tarsem Singh (director), Eiko Ishioka (designer), Carelli Costumes (costumiers) / Featuring ‘Yellow dress’ costume worn by Lily Collins as ‘Princess Snow’ in Mirror Mirror 2012, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) Brisbane 2023 / Silk taffeta, polyester, nylon tulle, synthetic taffeta / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / © 2012 UV RML NL Assets LLC. / Photograph: N Umek © QAGOMA

Tarsem Singh (director), Eiko Ishioka (designer), Carelli Costumes (costumiers) / Featuring ‘Yellow dress’ costume worn by Lily Collins as ‘Princess Snow’ in Mirror Mirror 2012, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) Brisbane 2023 / Silk taffeta, polyester, nylon tulle, synthetic taffeta / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / © 2012 UV RML NL Assets LLC. / Photograph: N Umek © QAGOMA / View full image

Tarsem Singh (director), India/United States b.1961 / Eiko Ishioka (designer), Japan 1938–2012 / Costumes from Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA

Tarsem Singh (director), India/United States b.1961 / Eiko Ishioka (designer), Japan 1938–2012 / Costumes from Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / Photograph: C Callistemon © QAGOMA / View full image

Eiko Ishioka Cream wedding dress from Mirror Mirror (2012)

Tarsem Singh (director), India/United States b.1961 / Eiko Ishioka (designer), Japan 1938–2012 / Carelli Costumes (costumier), United States est. 1982 /‘Cream wedding dress’ costume worn by Julia Roberts as ‘Queen Clementianna’ in Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Duchess silk satin, Swarovski crystals / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / Photograph: N Umek © QAGOMA

Tarsem Singh (director), India/United States b.1961 / Eiko Ishioka (designer), Japan 1938–2012 / Carelli Costumes (costumier), United States est. 1982 /‘Cream wedding dress’ costume worn by Julia Roberts as ‘Queen Clementianna’ in Mirror Mirror (2012) installed in ‘Fairy Tales’, Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane 2023 / Duchess silk satin, Swarovski crystals / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / Photograph: N Umek © QAGOMA / View full image

Tarsem Singh (Director), India/United States b.1961 / Eiko Ishioka (Designer), Japan 1938–2012 / Carelli Costumes (Costumier), United States est. 1982 / ‘Cream wedding dress’ costume / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles

Tarsem Singh (Director), India/United States b.1961 / Eiko Ishioka (Designer), Japan 1938–2012 / Carelli Costumes (Costumier), United States est. 1982 / ‘Cream wedding dress’ costume / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / View full image

Tarsem Singh (director), Eiko Ishioka (designer), Carelli Costumes (costumiers) / ‘Cream wedding dress’ costume worn by Julia Roberts as ‘Queen Clementianna’ in Mirror Mirror 2012 / Duchess silk satin, Swarovski crystals / Collection: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / © 2012 UV RML NL Assets LLC. / Photograph: Jan Thijs / Image courtesy: Relativity Media

Tarsem Singh (director), Eiko Ishioka (designer), Carelli Costumes (costumiers) / ‘Cream wedding dress’ costume worn by Julia Roberts as ‘Queen Clementianna’ in Mirror Mirror 2012 / Duchess silk satin, Swarovski crystals / Collection: The Academy Museum
of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles / © 2012 UV RML NL Assets LLC. / Photograph: Jan Thijs / Image courtesy: Relativity Media / View full image

Production still from Mirror Mirror (2012)

Tarsem Singh, India/United States b.1961 / Production still from Mirror Mirror 2012 / 35mm, colour, Dolby Digital, 106 minutes, United States/Canada, English / Director: Tarsem Singh / Producers: Bernie Goldmann, Ryan Kavanaugh, Brett Ratner / Script: Marc Klein, Jason Keller, Melisa Wallack / Cinematographer: Brendan Galvin / Editors: Robert Duffy, Nick Moore / Cast: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, Jordan Prentice, Mark Povinelli, Joe Gnoffo, Danny Woodburn, Sebastian Saraceno, Martin Klebba, Ronald Lee Clark / © 2012 UV RML NL Assets LLC. / Photograph: Jan Thijs / Image courtesy: Relativity Media

Tarsem Singh, India/United States b.1961 / Production still from Mirror Mirror 2012 / 35mm, colour, Dolby Digital, 106 minutes, United States/Canada, English / Director: Tarsem Singh / Producers: Bernie Goldmann, Ryan Kavanaugh, Brett Ratner / Script: Marc Klein, Jason Keller, Melisa Wallack / Cinematographer: Brendan Galvin / Editors: Robert Duffy, Nick Moore / Cast: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, Jordan Prentice, Mark Povinelli, Joe Gnoffo, Danny Woodburn, Sebastian Saraceno, Martin Klebba, Ronald Lee Clark / © 2012 UV RML NL Assets LLC. / Photograph: Jan Thijs / Image courtesy: Relativity Media / View full image

Fairy Tales
2 December 2023 — 28 April 2024
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Brisbane, Australia

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