Jenny Beavan, one of the most distinguished British costume designers, will visit Toruń in November. During the 31st edition of EnergaCAMERIMAGE, she will receive a Special Award for her extraordinary professional achievements in the field of costume design.
Jenny Beavan was born in London, in a musical family of a violinist and a cellist. However, she chose to study set design at the Central School of Art and Design in London. Learning theatre design under, among others, Ralph Koltai, she initially did not associate her future career with cinema or broadly understood fashion. Since falling in love with Twelfth Night – a play her grandfather took her to when she was 10 – she knew she wanted to be part of the theatre world above all else.
Her professional journey with cinema began shortly after completing her education, when she reconnected with her childhood friend, Nick Young. He was then working for Merchant Ivory Productions, organizing a film set in India for James Ivory’s TV production Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie’s Pictures (1978) and was looking for a costume designer to assist with wardrobe for Peggy Ashcroft. It was in the exotic environment of colourful India that Beavan fell in love with cinema and became interested in designing film costumes. This also marked the beginning of her fruitful collaboration with the legendary director, earning her recognition and respect in the industry.
Jenny Beavan
In addition to the aforementioned TV production, she designed costumes for Jane Austen in Manhattan (1980). Subsequently, in collaboration with John Bright, she worked on the costumes for such renowned and appreciated James Ivory films as The Bostonians (1984), A Room with a View (1985), Maurice (1987), Howards End (1992), The Remains of the Day (1993), and Jefferson in Paris (1995). For nearly all of these, Jenny Beavan received an Oscar® nomination, winning her first Academy Award® for A Room with a View.
In this brilliant adaptation of E.M. Forster’s novel, telling the story of a young English aristocrat trapped in the clutches of convention, costumes and set design subtly follow the unhurried pace of the film, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of Florence, the English countryside, and the Edwardian-era society. At the same time, they immerse the viewer in the nostalgic ambiance of a traditional period romance, seamlessly embedding Ivory’s work in the genre of British heritage films.
In subsequent years, Jenny Beavan also collaborated with distinguished creators such as Ang Lee (Sense and Sensibility, 1995), Adrian Lyne (Lolita, 1997), Robert Altman (Gosford Park, 2001), Andy Tennant (Anna and the King, 1999), Oliver Stone (Alexander, 2004), Lasse Hallström (Casanova, 2005), Brian De Palma (The Black Dahlia, 2006), Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, 2009 and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, 2011), and Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech, 2010).
Jenny Beavan on a set
Quickly gaining a reputation as a specialist in historical costumes, she was not afraid to break the mold, joining the revolutionary Mad Max: Fury Road by George Miller in 2015. This cinematic portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world allowed her to change her artistic direction, for which she reciprocated with a breathtaking costume design that perfectly complemented the director’s vision and made the film so engrossing. The fast-paced road movie plunges us into a dark world of heroes resisting the only order they know. What they wear seems at first to be of little significance. But the wardrobe created by Jenny Beavan fully captures the rebellious nature of the production and authenticates the story being told. Interestingly, Beavan received her second Oscar® for this film dressed in jeans and a motorcycle jacket adorned with a crystal skull, showcasing her rebellious spirit, her indifference to industry conventions, and how fitting her involvement in this now iconic film was.
Jenny Beavan on the set of “Cruella”
A huge success for both the producers and Beavan was also Disney’s high-budget production from 2021, Cruella, telling the story of the youth of Cruella de Vil. Jenny Beavan was tasked with creating 70s fashion but with distinctly contemporary touches, and she delivered flawlessly. Her designs showcase influences from the punk style of Vivienne Westwood and Jean-Paul Gaultier on one hand, and a poignant illustration of the prevailing social inequalities of the time on the other. The film’s titular character is an aspiring fashion designer, so her wardrobe had to impress from the outset. The lead actress, Emma Stone, appeared in almost 50 stunning creations that captivated audiences worldwide, ultimately earning Jenny Beavan her third Oscar®.
Jenny Beavan on the set of “Christopher Robin”
Jenny Beavan is an exceptional artist who is not afraid to experiment with various film genres and refuses to be pigeonholed. From the historical accuracy of A Room with a View (1985) or Gosford Park (2001), through the fairytale creations of The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) or Christopher Robin, to the futurism of Life (2017) or the world of Mad Max (2015), she excels in every challenge, accurately reflecting the spirit of the film while maintaining the distinctive mark of her rebellious style. In a career spanning over 40 years, she has worked on dozens of diverse theater productions, TV shows, commercials, and most importantly feature films, for which she has been frequently recognized both by audiences and the industry. She has been nominated for the British Film Award BAFTA ten times, winning four statuettes. She has also received twelve nominations from the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, ultimately winning three Oscars®. She has also fought for the Emmy award five times and can boast two victories. In 2017, Jenny Beavan also received the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her artistic contributions to cinema and theatre.
Jenny Beavan during preparations
Of course, this is not Jenny Beavan’s final word. Her next projects are in post-production, with the eagerly awaited Furiosa set for a 2024 release. As for what drives Jenny Beavan in her work as a costume designer, which productions she is most proud of, and what projects she still dreams of, you will have the chance to find out soon, during the 31st EnergaCAMERIMAGE in Toruń, when she receives the Award for Costume Designer with Unique Visual Sensitivity and meets with the festival audience.
text author: Magdalena Sobolewska
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