Academy Award-winning designer’s work showcased at SCAD FASH Museum in Atlanta
Key Takeaways:
- SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film in Atlanta is presenting Sandy Powell’s first U.S. exhibition, Dressing the Part: Costume Design for Film, opening on Oct. 11.
- The exhibition showcases over 125 costumes from Powell’s nearly 40-year career in cinema, featuring iconic films such as Shakespeare in Love, The Favourite, and The Wolf of Wall Street.
- A SCAD-produced documentary accompanying the exhibition highlights Powell’s collaborative process with directors and actors, including Cate Blanchett and Julianne Moore.
- SCAD continues to expand its commitment to costume design and film production with new facilities at SCAD Savannah Film Studios.
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is showcasing British costume designer Sandy Powell’s first U.S. exhibition, Dressing the Part: Costume Design for Film, at the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film in Atlanta. The exhibition, curated by Rafael Gomes, creative director of SCAD FASH, opens on Oct. 11 and runs through March 16, 2025. It offers a detailed exploration of Powell’s work across various film genres, displaying over 125 costumes from iconic movies like Shakespeare in Love, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Favourite.
Sandy Powell, a three-time Academy Award winner with 15 nominations, is celebrated for her innovative contributions to the film industry. The exhibition features costumes from her collaborations with renowned directors and actors, including Martin Scorsese, Cate Blanchett, and Leonardo DiCaprio, bringing together her vast body of work in a unique visual display.
“I am very excited that SCAD FASH has given me the opportunity to exhibit my first ever retrospective in the university’s amazing museum in Atlanta,” said Powell. “I hope that the carefully curated collection will serve to inspire students and aspiring costume designers.”
The exhibition includes a new SCAD-produced documentary on Powell’s creative process, featuring interviews with her long-time collaborators. It highlights how Powell’s designs have shaped character development and enhanced storytelling in contemporary cinema.
SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace praised Powell’s career, stating, “With 15 Academy Award nominations and three wins to her name, designer Sandy Powell has masterfully costumed iconic films from Shakespeare in Love to The Wolf of Wall Street. We bring our friendship full circle with Dressing the Part: Costume Design for Film.”
This exhibition is part of SCAD’s broader efforts to enhance its offerings in film and costume design. In October, SCAD will open a new 17,500-square-foot production and costume design facility at the Savannah Film Studios. This expansion underscores SCAD’s commitment to supporting collaborations across the filmmaking disciplines.
Rafael Gomes, creative director of SCAD FASH, said, “Celebrating Sandy Powell’s immense contributions to film design and history, this exhibition will transport our viewers to the cinema. She is one of the greatest artisans working in film.”
