Colleen Atwood
Colleen Atwood
Academy Award-Winning Costume Designer
Full Name and Common Aliases
Colleen Atwood is a renowned American costume designer who has been active in the film industry for over four decades. Her full name is Colleen Ann Atwood.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on August 3, 1948 (no death date specified)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: American
Profession: Costume Designer
Colleen Atwood has worked as a costume designer in the film industry for over 40 years. Her expertise spans various genres, including drama, comedy, fantasy, and science fiction.
Early Life and Background
Atwood grew up in Illinois, where she developed an interest in fashion at a young age. She began her career in the entertainment industry by working as a seamstress on Broadway productions. Atwood's early experience laid the foundation for her future success as a costume designer.
After completing her education, Atwood moved to New York City and worked as a costume designer for various stage productions. Her big break came when she was hired to work on the film "Dick Tracy" (1990), directed by Warren Beatty. This collaboration marked the beginning of a long and successful partnership between Atwood and Beatty.
Major Accomplishments
Throughout her career, Colleen Atwood has received numerous accolades for her work in costume design. Her achievements include:
Academy Award nominations for Best Costume Design in 13 films, including "Chicago" (2002), "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2005), and "Alice in Wonderland" (2010)
Academy Awards wins for Best Costume Design in "Memoirs of a Geisha" (2006) and "Into the Woods" (2014)
Golden Globe nominations for Best Costume Design
A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Notable Works or Actions
Some notable films featuring Colleen Atwood's costume designs include:
"Edward Scissorhands" (1990): This Tim Burton classic marked a turning point in Atwood's career, showcasing her unique and imaginative approach to costume design.
"Harry Potter" series: Atwood worked on all eight installments of the franchise, creating iconic costumes for characters like Hermione Granger and Bellatrix Lestrange.
* "Into the Woods" (2014): Atwood won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work on this film adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical.
Impact and Legacy
Colleen Atwood has left an indelible mark on the world of costume design. Her innovative approach to creating period-accurate costumes has raised the bar for designers working in the industry today. Atwood's influence extends beyond the realm of filmmaking, as her designs have inspired a new generation of fashion enthusiasts and artists.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Colleen Atwood is widely quoted and remembered for her remarkable ability to bring characters to life through costume design. Her work has been praised for its attention to detail, historical accuracy, and emotional resonance. As a testament to her enduring legacy, Atwood continues to inspire aspiring designers and filmmakers around the world.
As a master of her craft, Colleen Atwood's contributions to the world of film and fashion are undeniable. Her commitment to excellence and dedication to her art have cemented her place as one of the most celebrated costume designers in history.
Quotes by Colleen Atwood
I always have a moment when I know I'm designing the last costume that gets made for a movie, and it's always been floating up there, but it's kind of the last one. That's always probably the hardest one for me.
I have assistants that use the internet a lot more than I do. I use the internet for photo research, but for me personally, probably just because of my age, I’m not that mechanically inclined.
I think what’s fun about the fairytales is just seeing what everybody interprets them as, which comes from the different directors and what they want to do with them.
If I’m doing something contemporary, for sure I’m very aware of what’s going on. Personally, I like fashion trends, but when I’m doing a movie, it doesn’t affect what I do particularly at all. I don’t relate to it in that way.
As a designer, you have to solve a lot of problems. Even though people are wearing clothes that are supposed to look beautiful, they’ll have to do all kinds of things.
I’d seen the current stage production and the 1975 production of Chicago. I liked them both very much, but I didn’t use them necessarily as inspiration.
Be able to take any job that gives you experience on a film. Don’t just think that you have to be in one department or the other, because through working on one and seeing what other people do in the movie makes you realize what your role is if you become a costume designer.