Moulin Rouge! in 35mm

Nominated in eight Oscar categories including Best Picture, Baz Luhrmann’s extravagant, romantic jukebox musical won Production Design (then called Art Direction) and Costume Design at the 74th Academy Awards in 2002. To match Luhrmann’s visual concept, Catherine Martin and Angus Strathie designed costumes that combine late-Victorian styles with references to 20th-century popular culture. On display in Stories of Cinema: Identity is a costume for Nicole Kidman’s character, Satine. The creation recalls showgirl looks worn by classic Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe. A tailcoat worn by Ewan McGregor as Christian was made in both plain and sparkling versions to magically transform during a romantic musical number.

Adapted for the screen from the Broadway hit, which was inspired by Gregory Maguire’s beloved twist on L. Frank Baum’s classic characters, Wicked bewitched audiences and was nominated for 10 Oscars at the 97th Academy Awards. Costume designer Paul Tazewell updated looks from The Wizard of Oz (1939)—the Wicked Witch’s black cape and hat and Glinda’s pink gown—for his winning designs, both on view in the museum’s Stories of Cinema: Identity gallery. Dark clothing with details inspired by plant roots and fungi reflects Elphaba’s seriousness and connection to nature. Pink garments decorated with frills and spirals underscore Galinda’s bubbly personality and status as the popular sweetheart of Shiz Academy.

Director Tim Burton reimagines Stephen Sondheim’s 1979 musical about a vengeful barber. Costume designer Colleen Atwood and makeup artist Ve Neill—frequent Burton collaborators—created a striking look for Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd. On display in the museum’s Stories of Cinema: Identity is one of Atwood's stunning leather coats designed for Depp’s character, as well as Neill's makeups and hair designs for Todd, with a deathly pale face, dark eyeshadow, and a white streak glued into the actor’s real hair.