Interviews

 The Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design is one of the world’s largest and most meticulously curated private archives of film costumes, founded in 1989 by respected Hollywood costume historians, archivists, and consultants Larry McQueen and Bill Thomas. What began with a single shared acquisition of Greta Garbo’s gown from Queen Christina (1933) has, over thirty-five years, grown into a 650-something-piece collection spanning iconic titles from 1916’s Intolerance to 2015’s The Danish Girl. McQueen’s mission has always been about a reverence for that history and the often-unsung designers and craftspeople who brought cinema’s most memorable looks to the screen. 

In The Costumes of Hollywood - Highlights from The Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design (https://www.routledge.com/The-Costume...) , a new book available now from Routledge (https://www.routledge.com/The-Costume...) , readers are invited into the history, artistry and preservation of screen-worn fashion that spans nearly a century. The text is a visual and narrative archive presenting full-page colour photos of the garments themselves — many of which have never been published — along with looks into interior construction, restoration, and their complex journey from screen to storage. Joining McQueen on the journey through his collection is co-author Coleen Scott, a costume designer, historian, and educator. The two connected during a virtual Costume Society of America (https://www.costumesocietyamerica.com/)  event during the pandemic. A casual conversation about costumes quickly grew into a collaboration and commitment to preserving the story of the collection in print.  

 In this engaging episode of the Dress & Drinks series by the Costume Society of America, Vice President for Grants and Projects Leon Wiebers interviews Hollywood costume collector Larry McQueen. McQueen discusses his journey in preserving iconic film costumes, the inception of his renowned Collection of Motion Picture Costume Design, and the significance of costume preservation in cinematic history. This conversation offers a unique glimpse into the meticulous world of costume archiving and the stories woven into each garment.

In this insightful interview from the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), acclaimed director Gillian Armstrong discusses her documentary Women He's Undressed, which explores the life and legacy of legendary costume designer Orry-Kelly.

During the conversation, Armstrong highlights a standout piece from the accompanying ACMI exhibition—a Natalie Wood costume—generously loaned by costume historian and collector Larry McQueen. She reflects on the artistry behind the garment and McQueen’s role in preserving Hollywood’s design heritage.