James Bond(007) 50 years Exhibition at Barbican
If there's one thing James Bond has taught us it's that behind every great spy is a great tailor.
A new exhibition at London's Barbican Centre explores the style of the suave secret agent, displaying costumes, props, set pieces and design drawings from half a century of 007 films.
Assembled with help from the films' producer, EON Productions_ which has a new Bond movie to promote in the fall – the exhibition includes the spy's tuxedos, Bond girl ball gowns and villains' vestments, as well as a selection of props and gadgets. There are also sketches by the films' influential set designer, Ken Adam, whose cavernous lairs and sleek space stations did much to create the movies' modernist luster.
The show is both a reflection of the remarkable staying power of Ian Fleming's fictional secret agent and a tribute to the British, European and American craftspeople and designers who have created the look of the quintessentially British icon.
"The films always attracted the greatest design talent," curator Bronwyn Cosgrave said Thursday. They ranged from the German-born Adam to Academy Award-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming, a Briton who helped put together the exhibition.
"In the beginning they didn't have the money – but they had the ingenuity," Cosgrave said.
The money came later, as the globally successful franchise sent Bond to exotic locations around the world – and eventually, in 1979's "Moonraker," into space.
Clips from the movies are screened throughout the exhibition, which includes items that have become mini-icons, from the white bikini worn by Ursula Andress in the first Bond film, "Dr. No," to the tight blue swim trunks sported by Daniel Craig in "Casino Royale."
Cosgrave said that since "Dr. No" in 1962, "Bond has consistently led the way" in style.
She said Sean Connery's "conduit cut" suit by Saville Row tailor Anthony Sinclair from the 1960s films is "the men's equivalent of a Chanel suit," while a sharply cut tuxedo is so identified with the character it has become known as "the James Bond look."
The first time Bond appeared onscreen, in "Dr. No," viewers saw the silk-lined cuff of his tuxedo sleeve before they saw Connery's face.
Cosgrave said the success of the look is simple to explain.
"It's sexy," she said. "When does a man look his best? In a tuxedo."
The exhibition includes tuxes worn by Bonds from Connery (classic Saville Row) to Roger Moore (by designer-to-the-stars Doug Hayward) to Craig, who is dressed by American designer Tom Ford. Ford's lean suits – in neatly circular fashion – draw on the 1960s for inspiration.
Cosgrave said that because actors typically play 007 over several films – apart from one-off George Lazenby in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" – "each Bond had an opportunity to forge a relationship with their tailor. As a result, they're impeccably dressed."
All those designer names reveal another Bond secret – 007 is both an international brand himself and a magnet for other luxury labels.
With the 23rd Bond film, "Skyfall," set for release in October, the exhibition gift shop lets visitors purchase a piece of Bond style, from cocktail shakers and martini glasses to silk ties and gold bars made of chocolate.
"Designing 007" opens Friday and runs to Sept. 5. It will then tour internationally, opening at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto in October.
A new exhibition at London's Barbican Centre explores the style of the suave secret agent, displaying costumes, props, set pieces and design drawings from half a century of 007 films.
Assembled with help from the films' producer, EON Productions_ which has a new Bond movie to promote in the fall – the exhibition includes the spy's tuxedos, Bond girl ball gowns and villains' vestments, as well as a selection of props and gadgets. There are also sketches by the films' influential set designer, Ken Adam, whose cavernous lairs and sleek space stations did much to create the movies' modernist luster.
The show is both a reflection of the remarkable staying power of Ian Fleming's fictional secret agent and a tribute to the British, European and American craftspeople and designers who have created the look of the quintessentially British icon.
"The films always attracted the greatest design talent," curator Bronwyn Cosgrave said Thursday. They ranged from the German-born Adam to Academy Award-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming, a Briton who helped put together the exhibition.
"In the beginning they didn't have the money – but they had the ingenuity," Cosgrave said.
The money came later, as the globally successful franchise sent Bond to exotic locations around the world – and eventually, in 1979's "Moonraker," into space.
Clips from the movies are screened throughout the exhibition, which includes items that have become mini-icons, from the white bikini worn by Ursula Andress in the first Bond film, "Dr. No," to the tight blue swim trunks sported by Daniel Craig in "Casino Royale."
Cosgrave said that since "Dr. No" in 1962, "Bond has consistently led the way" in style.
She said Sean Connery's "conduit cut" suit by Saville Row tailor Anthony Sinclair from the 1960s films is "the men's equivalent of a Chanel suit," while a sharply cut tuxedo is so identified with the character it has become known as "the James Bond look."
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| Many of James Bond's personal effects, including his Walther PPKs, cigarette lighter, and multiple identity documents are on show |
The first time Bond appeared onscreen, in "Dr. No," viewers saw the silk-lined cuff of his tuxedo sleeve before they saw Connery's face.
Cosgrave said the success of the look is simple to explain.
"It's sexy," she said. "When does a man look his best? In a tuxedo."
The exhibition includes tuxes worn by Bonds from Connery (classic Saville Row) to Roger Moore (by designer-to-the-stars Doug Hayward) to Craig, who is dressed by American designer Tom Ford. Ford's lean suits – in neatly circular fashion – draw on the 1960s for inspiration.
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| Pierce Brosnan's 007 passport, which bears the name Alex Smith with the date of birth May 6, 1960, |
Cosgrave said that because actors typically play 007 over several films – apart from one-off George Lazenby in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" – "each Bond had an opportunity to forge a relationship with their tailor. As a result, they're impeccably dressed."
All those designer names reveal another Bond secret – 007 is both an international brand himself and a magnet for other luxury labels.
With the 23rd Bond film, "Skyfall," set for release in October, the exhibition gift shop lets visitors purchase a piece of Bond style, from cocktail shakers and martini glasses to silk ties and gold bars made of chocolate.
"Designing 007" opens Friday and runs to Sept. 5. It will then tour internationally, opening at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto in October.
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| In this scene from the 1964 film Goldfinger, James Bond discovers his lover killed by being covered in gold |
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| The 1974 film The Man With The Golden Gun starred Christopher Lee as villain Francisco Scaramanga and Roger Moore |
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| The exhibition includes a recreation of the actress Jill Masterson covered in gold paint, a famous scene from the film Goldfinger |
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| James Bond's amphibious Lotus Esprit, which was used in the film 'The Spy Who Loved Me', is one of the dozens of iconic items on display in the exhibition 'Designing 007 - Fifty Years of Bond Style' at the Barbican centre in London |
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| The 'Hasselblad Gun' - named after the make of camera which was converted into a lethal weapon on the film - was used in the James Bond film 'Licenced to Kill' and is one of the star attractions at the exhibition |
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| The model of Jill Masterson's golden body from the 1964 Goldfinger is one of the centre pieces |
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| One of the most famous smiles in film history, Jaws's metal teeth and the mould worn by Richard Kiel in The Spy Who Loved Me, form part of the show |
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