A new exhibition ‘Iconic Costumes of the Irish Silver Screen’ has been unveiled at the Museum of Style Icons at Newbridge Silverware, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.
In collaboration with The Irish Costume Archive Project (ICAP), the exhibition presents an extraordinary showcase of 18 costumes from legendary Irish film productions including “My Left Foot”, “Braveheart”, “The Banshees of Inisherin”, “Far & Away” and many more.
Co-founded by the Emmy-nominated costume designer Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh and the costume practitioner Veerle Dehaene, ICAP is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Ireland’s unique contribution to costume design.
“We are thrilled to present this exhibition, which pays homage to the exceptional artistry and creativity of Irish costume designers,” says Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh. “Each costume tells a story and reflects the rich tapestry of Irish cinema. It is our privilege to share these treasures with audiences and to celebrate the legacy of Irish filmmaking and huge thanks to William Doyle the CEO of Newbridge Silverware and the Museum of Style Icons curator, Pauline Doyle for their collaboration. The Museum of Style Icons is a natural home for these costumes, and we hope visitors will really enjoy the displays.”
The exhibition features an impressive array of costumes from a diverse range of film productions and TV shows like “Normal People” and “Vikings” with costumes worn by acclaimed actors such as Helen Mirren and Oscar winner, Cillian Murphy.
Established in 2017, The Irish Costume Archive Project is committed to creating a comprehensive record of Ireland’s film industry through the preservation and conservation of costumes worn by some of the nation’s most esteemed actors.
“We are deeply passionate about preserving Ireland’s cinematic heritage and celebrating the art of costume design,” says Veerle Dehaene. “Through our collaboration with the Museum of Style Icons, we aim to inspire future generations of filmmakers and designers while offering audiences a unique insight into the creative process behind their favourite films.”
“These costumes not only reflect the characters and narratives of our films but also celebrate the talent and craftsmanship of Irish costume designers. It is our honour to host this exhibition and to celebrate Ireland’s rich cinematic heritage,” says William Doyle, CEO of Newbridge Silverware.
The Museum of Style Icons opened in 2007 and has become one of the world’s greatest collections of style, fashion, and popular culture artefacts. The museum houses fashion collections and property that once belonged to many including; Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Grace, Princess Diana, the Beatles, and even contemporary actresses and fashionistas such as Kim Kardashian and January Jones of ‘Mad Men’.
One of the museum’s most memorable exhibitions occurred in 2016, when Marilyn Monroe’s legendary ‘skin and beads’ dress, worn during her iconic rendition of “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” for President John F. Kennedy, made its debut. Drawing thousands of visitors, this historic garment, on loan from Julien’s Auctions, captivated audiences and ultimately sold for a record-breaking $4.8 million.
Another significant visit to the museum came from the Cobain family, including Francis Bean, daughter of Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain, along with his mother, Wendy, and sister, Kim Cobain. In 2019, the museum welcomed beloved actress and singer Olivia Newton-John, known for her role as Sandy in Grease who opened an exhibition featuring some of her famous costumes, including the iconic black leather trousers from the film.
The Iconic Costumes of the Irish Silver Screen Irish Costume in association with the Irish Archive Project exhibition is now open at the Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge Silverware. Admission is free and the exhibition will run for one year. For more see newbridgesilverware.com and also www.icap.ie
