The Strange and Beautiful World of Eiko Ishioka: Art Design
I've always loved watching period pieces for the pretty costumes but as I went through Eiko's work- she just takes costume design to a whole new level. She's become pretty recognized since The Fall so I decided to root out the rest of her projects and celebrate this wonderful women for her creativity and ambition. Contains spoilers for: Mishima (1985), Dracula (1992), The Cell (2001) and The Fall (2004).
Dracula: It's only Eiko's third film project (with her talent, you know she's going places) and she's already being recognized by the legendary director Francis Coppola Ford. Fun fact: he also helped produce Mishima, her first project on costumes for film. She worked five months with her assistants to plan out the design and details.
The Cell: Here, Eiko teams up with another creative genius by her side, Tarsem Singh, to create an intoxicating surrealist dream that easily sucks you in. Her use of colors on the costumes is amazing- deep, rich and eye popping. On the set, Tarsem mostly agreed with Eiko's instincts except with one of Jennifer Lopez's costumes which she had to remake three times. Thankfully, these two create even bigger and lavish results in their next film.
Mishima: Her first project on film and she's credited with production designer. However, imdb says Eiko is also credited for costumes too- which I more or less believe- because who else could come up with a sparkly neon baby blue sleep robe? The sets are gorgeous- my favorite two being the square white room which collapses in on the men and the forest that blends into the painting canvas wall, both which serve the plot artistically- just like theatre.
The Fall: Another collaboration of Tarsem and Eiko leads to one of the "be all and end all's" of creative visions to happen this decade- hopefully they will continue to do films together. She sets her bar higher and higher with every film and manages to out do her self each time. These costumes are especially exquisite, heavy (I would think since actual gold was placed on them) and were up on display at the Motion Picture Costume Design Exhibition.
Cirque de Soleil: Varekai: Now this project is probably one of her biggest (seen on film anyway), I didn't even cover half of the costumes. Like all Eiko's designs they borrow from all kinds of cultures, are so luxiouriously glamorous and coutour-ish in fashion that it's impossible to decided on one favorite costume. I am more than happy to see that Eiko chooses projects that equally produce challenges and new possibilities for her versatile style.
Credit goes out to spectralsoul and perletwo for Dracula and The Cell caps.