If there was a Best Dressed in Film award Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman outfit, the Most Loved of the week on the AnOther Loves stream, would definitely be nominated.
If there was a Best Dressed Female in Film award Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman outfit, the Most Loved of the week on the AnOther Loves stream, would definitely be nominated. That along with Marilyn Monroe’s white halter dress that famously featured in The Seven Year Itch as she stood over an air blasting subway grate, Olivia Newton John as Sandy Olsson in Grease (at the fun fair in lycra of course), Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and perhaps Uma Thurman's crisp white shirt and ankle-skimming cigarette pants in Pulp Fiction. Chosen by Alexander McQueen Design Assistant Laura Edwards, this particular Catwoman was portrayed by Pfeiffer in 1992’s Batman Returns. A fictional character associated with DC Comics’ Batman franchise, Catwoman Selina Kyle is historically a supervillain – ranked number 11 on IGN’s “Top 100 Comic Book Villians of All Time” – and known for having a love-hate relationship with superhero Batman. Bearing a cat mask and whip, dressed in a tight black PVC catsuit, Pfeiffer’s appearance in Batman Returns has had a long lasting resonance almost a decade on and two Batman films later. A hard act to follow, Anne Hathaway will portray Selina Kyle in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, out in 2012.
Whether a fan of these furry felines, a Batman and Pfeiffer enthusiast or even coveting Givenchy’s A/W11 cat ear hat – we see every reason to fall in love with this AnOther Love of the week. Here we talk to Edwards about her favourite films, on-screen outfits and fictional characters.
Why did you choose to Love Michelle Pfeiffer – Catwoman from Batman Returns?
She is amazing in that film, I was six when it came out and I thought she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I loved her and I loved the transformation. The costume is perfect. I doubt they will ever get it so right again. Batman Returns is definitely my favourite.
Do you have any other favourite fictional characters – who and why?
Stewie from Family guy for his scathing wit and constant plotting.
Which other film stars have enviable on-screen costumes or outfits?
Anyone in a Hitchcock movie, I love the costumes in George Cukor’s The Women – they have a whole cheesy fashion show segment, which is pretty hilarious. I always love Auntie Mame, Breakfast at Tiffanys (obvious but true) and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. I also love it when movies are pretty low key with the costume but the mood is perfect like Paris, Texas, Buffalo 66, Annie Hall and Badlands. Baz Luhrman’s Romeo and Juliet is another great one, every scene is unbelievable, even the guns look amazing
With The Dark Knight Rises out later this year – which other upcoming films are you looking forward to watching?
I’m so far behind with my film watching – I only got around to Black Swan a week ago, so I’m looking forward to seeing the all the things I missed at the cinema. Blue Valentine and Somewhere are top of the list at the moment.
What’s your all-time greatest film?
La Belle et la Bête by Jean Cocteau. I never get tired of it, it’s so gorgeous, I also love Paris, Texas, The Royal Tenenbaums, Lars and the Real Girl and The Wedding Singer.
What was the last thing you bought?
This morning I picked up an Alexander McQueen tassled leather box clutch in the sale. It looks suspiciously like something I will immediately put down and lose.
What’s your favourite online shop?
Abe books for rare finds and the odd bargain.
Text by Lucia Davies
