Jenny Beavan, three-time Oscar-winning costume designer. Her extraordinary contributions are a testament to her legacy, forever inspiring generations in front of and behind the camera. For nearly half a century, she has been a pivotal figure in crafting the visual identity of numerous films, including the acclaimed works of Merchant Ivory and the action-packed spectacle of Mad Max: Fury Road. Beavan’s contributions to cinema have not only transformed characters on screen but have sparked conversations about fashion and identity in Hollywood.
With each film she helped raise the profile of the Merchant Ivory films and the tasteful opulence for which they became known. Her designs brought to life the historical settings and emotional depth of productions such as A Room With a View. And while working on this short film, she shared the screen with renowned actor Daniel Day-Lewis, a testament to her craftsmanship that combines authenticity and artistry.
Her experience is extensive. For the past few decades, she has worked alongside heavyweights such as Isaac Mizrahi, Julie Taymor, and John Waters. From Anthony Hopkins in The Remains of the Day to Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes, Beavan has successfully tailored costumes that enhance each character’s narrative. Even icons like Frankie Howerd ended up decked out in her designs for HMS Pinafore.
In 2016, Beavan made headlines not only for her work but for her unconventional fashion choices at various awards shows. Her bold move away from conventional after-dark attire struck a chord with countless women, spawning an international conversation about individual expression and cultural expectations. The media focus escalated further after Stephen Fry described her as a “bag lady.” His incendiary tweet triggered a firestorm of condemnation and eventually forced him out of the platform.
As those events transpired, a video of filmmaker Alejandro González Iñárritu’s reaction to Beavan began circulating widely after it was posted on the Academy Awards. It served to represent perfectly the awkwardness that can come to define high-profile events. This development is a reflection of the changing power relations within Hollywood. Casting and fashion choices often overshadow the innovation of the actual art of filmmaking these days.
Over the course of her great career, Beavan has tackled these cringey moments with charm and humor. One especially unforgettable example had her purchasing trousers for actors that weren’t using them while shooting. This really brings to light the dangers that costume designers experience in the industry.
Despite this bumpy journey, Jenny Beavan still stands today as a massively accomplished and admired figure in film, even considered a living legend. She moves nimbly with the trends that are shifting under everybody’s feet. All the while, she remains uncompromisingly creative, a combination that has secured her place among the legends. Her influence is felt even a century on, inspiring successive generations of costume designers, filmmakers and artists generally.