Movie Monday: Alice in Wonderland

January is a bit slow when it comes to new movies. After all, the Holidays are over, everyone has gone back to work or school, and people need to stop spending for awhile to get over the shopping frenzy that has been going on this past month. So I decided to mention an up-coming movie that has been on everyone's must watch list for quite some time: Alice in Wonderland (2010).

This is a Tim Burton movie, so of course, the general look is half fantastical, half anguishing. It's like watching someone's dream. A very strange dream.

The job of rendering the look of the film in costumes went to Colleen Atwood, the Costume Designer responsible for dressing the characters of such movies as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Memoirs of a Geisha (2005), Planet of the Apes (2001), Sleepy Hollow (1999) and Little Women (1994) to name only a few.

Here are some of the main character's costumes.

Mia Wasikowska as Alice Kingsley, Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Alice's dress is always pale blue. This has been true since Disney first made its animated version of Alice in Wonderland in 1951. The fun touch on this dress is the embroidery on the hem: it is a series of animals and flowers, including of course, rabbits. Another nice detail to this costume is the black and white striped fingerless gloves. It's a little punk with a lot of girly. A very nice mix.

Helena Bonham Carter as The Red Queen, Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Not to be mistaken with the Queen of Hearts (although I think the two were merged in this movie), the Red Queen is the antagonist. She wears an Elizabethan inspired dress of black velvet, gold and red brocade, all decorated with pearls and lace. Her hair is even done in a typical Queen Elizabeth I heart shaped style.

Anne Hathaway as The White Queen, Alice in Wonderland (2010)

I love Anne Hathaway as an actress, and I believe, from what I have seen in the trailers, that she is going to be a marvellous White Queen. What I love right away in the whole look of this costume is the contrast of the dark red lips with the pallor of the skin, hair and dress. It makes everything seem whiter. In this case, the dress seems inspired by Victorian times: large, voluminous skirt, off the shoulder short puffed sleeves and a chocker necklace. I have to say, this is my personal favourite.

Johnny Depp as The Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland (2010)

What is a Tim Burton movie without Johnny Depp, and what other role could he play than The Mad Hatter. There are so many details to this costume that I don't know where to begin. The main item is of course his top hat, which seems made of crocheted green lace, has a dusty rose trim, many hat pins, a peacock feather, and a 10/6 note. Add to this a frock coat, a wide bow-tie in a crazy print, orange "Einstein" hair and lime green eyes and just staring at this strange character will make you go mad.

If you would like to make one of these costumes, I suggest you visit The Costumer's Guide to Movie Costumes - Alice in Wonderland.

Now hurry up, or you're going to be late. There is only three months left before the premiere.