Field Trip: Starstruck Exhibit, Ulster Museum

Time for a field trip!  Like a moth to flame, though thousands of miles away from home, I stumbled over a costume exhibit while visiting Belfast.  And a Hollywood-themed exhibit, no less.  The costumes were all from period movies and television productions, many of which I liked so well I own them on DVD:

This gorgeous robe à la française was worn by Swoosie Kurtz as Madame de Volanges in Dangerous Liaisons.

via Google Image Search

Dear readers, you know how often I go to costuming exhibits.  Yet the Starstruck exhibit at the Ulster Museum was more wonderful than most of the costume exhibits I have ever seen for three reasons:

1) one of my favorite costumes of all time was on display and I never imagined I would see it in person, and
2) I could get quite close to the costumes to study the construction and fabric, and
3) I could take as many pictures as I wished!

How could I fail to photograph Colin Firth's costume from the BBC's production of Pride and Prejudice with Jennifer Ehle, by far the best Pride and Prejudice series to date? (I dare you to argue with me about this!).  I love the film still on the wall behind the costume that says "Grand Finale":

I was excited to see several of the costumes from the recent and exciting PBS Masterpiece production, Downton Abbey.  

Season Two can't come fast enough!  I particularly like this evening gown worn by the irascible Lady Mary Crawley, played by Michelle Dockery:

via Downton Abbey fan site

Last but not least, one of my favorite dresses of all time was in a children's film.  I have adored this gorgeous sari-inspired dress ever since I saw Irene Jacobs, as Lilias Craven, grace its lovely folds in The Secret Garden.  The beading is extraordinary and the color is amazing.  It seems much like something Paul Poiret might have designed:

via Bellazon.com

I hope that you enjoyed our little field trip.  See more costume photographs from this exhibit on Flickr  in coming days.