That scene, you know, in Lost In Translation, when, stood in the creamy marbled bathroom of Scarlett Johanssen's suite, Bill Murray puts his very tight orange camo t-shirt on inside out. It's such a moment, isn't it? But that's just what Sofia Coppola does - she makes the most mundane sartorial moments appear, well, cult; the application of some cheap lipstick, the tearing of some tights. She makes a cheesy dance leotard look better than Saint Laurent, and a vintage prom dress look cooler than Vetements. That Sofia touch.
Primarily this is because her bored, listless characters, leading insanely priveleged and meandering lifestyles are achingly, like hand on hip, fag in mouth, failed acting career, rich parents, cool. This week it was announced that Sofia would be reuniting with her long-term muse Kirsten Dunst (AKA Marie Antoinette) along with Somewhere ’s Elle Fanning, and according to Vanity Fair, potentially Nicole Kidman on set for a remake Clint Eastwood’s The Beguiled. Before we start speculating over the costume - the 1970s original is set in confedrate America at an all-girls school (yeah, yeah, we know) let's revisit those Coppola characters whose outfits changed our wardrobes forever...
The Virgin Suicides
For her directorial feature debut, Sofia chose Jeffrey Eugenides’ story of the young, mysterious Lisbon sisters and the local boys who are obsessed with them. There are two factors affecting the outfit choices here. Firstly, it’s set in the 70s, meaning the girls sport some brilliantly colourful bandeau tops and over-the-knee socks, and secondly, the girls go to a strict religious school resulting in some v Catholic chic uniforms.
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The Virgin Suicides
So disturbed is their strict mother at the idea of the girls going to the school prom, she makes all their dresses incredibly dowdy, or “four identical sacks”, as they are called. Lux (Kirsten Dunst) is even forced to sex up her floral prairie-style dress by writing her date’s name on her underwear. Still, the Lisbon sisters had the last laugh. The “sacks” were the inspiration for a Rodarte collection.
Photo: Press
Lost In Translation
For the film's iconic opening credits, Scarlett's kind of visible bum in some highly-visible big pink knickers made the cut. Apparently Coppola was inspired by painter John Kacere, who frequently depicts lingerie clad women. Only Sofia could make granny pants look jaw-droppingly hot.
Photo: Press
Lost In Translation
Scarlett plays the newlywed Charlotte, who while lost and lonely in Tokyo befriends older, just as jaded, actor, Bill Murray (Bob Harris) and they quickly form an undeniable bond. The karaoke scene in which Bill gives the definitive rendition of Roxy Music's More Than This, sees a pink-wigged Scarlett giving us the sexiest karaoke choice of all time - "Brass In Pocket" by The Pretenders. Pink hair never looked this good.
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Marie Antoinette
The 2006 indie-meets-18th Century romp fast became our favourite coming-of-age flick ever. The corseted period costumes juxtaposed with the new-wave 80's soundtrack? Heavenly. Lush, rebellious and girly, Kirst's outfits are as lavish as Marie's lifestyle. From her head-to-toe pitch black masquerade ball look to her godly white gowns that were so embellished, detailed and fussy the film demanded watching twice. Costume designer Milena Canonero won an Academy Award for her designs.
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Marie Antoinette
When Marie finally takes her lover Axel Von Fersen, to the beat of some raucous drums, she sports nothing but over-the-knee white socks, a single feather, and a deftly placed fan.
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Somewhere
For the story of a rubbish father (played by Stephen Dorff) and his relationship with his estranged daughter (Elle Fanning), Sofia put Elle in plenty of girlish sundresses. We're supposed to be appalled at his treatment of his cute-as-a-button daughter, so she is dressed the part.
Photo: Press
Somewhere
Here's Elle Fanning being adorable and looking the picture of innocence ice skating in a sparkly blue one-piece to the sound of Gwen Stefani's "Cool".
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Somewhere
We're pretty sure it was wearing these geeky glasses that got Elle Fanning the Miu Miu eyewear campaign.
Photo: Press
Bling Ring
What do you get if you mix a gaggle of dissatisfied youths with loads of cash and greed? Sofia Coppola's Bling Ring and Emma Watson's fiercest on-screen look ever (see intense lipgloss application). Based on the true story of a theiving teenage collective -Hollywood Hills Burglar Bunch - costume designer Stacey Battat took full advantage of the noughties backdrop and name-dropped all our favourite brands from the era: Dior, Juicy, Supra...
Photo: Press
Case in point: Emma Watson's pink Juicy Couture tracksuit, cropped Uggs and small dog. Game. Set. Match. Lindsay Lohan who?
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