Firmdale Hotels - The Soho Hotel - 23rd Apr: Fashion & Cinema: Alexandra Byrne

Fashion & Cinema Life Journeys: Alexandra Byrne in Conversation

The Soho Hotel
Sunday, 23rd April at 4.15pm
All tickets include a glass of wine or soft drink on arrival
£35 / £70 per person including a three course dinner at Refuel Restaurant

Our Fashion & Cinema series 'Life Journeys' continues with Oscar-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne. Led by curator Keith Lodwick, an ‘In Conversation’ will explore Alexandra’s elaborate career and costume designs, from Shakespeare to superheroes. Best known for the costumes behind period dramas including Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet (1996) which saw Kate Winslet as Ophelia, Autumn de Wilde's Emma (2020) and the film that won Alexandra her Oscar, Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007).

The ‘In Conversation' will be followed by a showing of Alexandra’s chosen film Elizabeth (1998) in our screening room. Directed by Shekhar Kapur, this year marks the 25th anniversary of the film which won Cate Blanchett her first Oscar.

ALEXANDRA BYRNE

Costume designer Alexandra Byrne trained as an architect before studying Theatre Design at the English National Opera under the legendary Margaret Harris. She has worked extensively in television and theatre, both as a set and costume designer. Her credits also include Phantom of the Opera (2004), 300: Rise of an Empire (2014) and Murder on the Orient Express (2017). Alexandra has received Oscar nominations for costumes in titles including Elizabeth (1998) and Finding Neverland (2004). Following Hamlet (1996), Alexandra worked with Kenneth Branagh again on Thor (2011), her first production with Marvel which won the Saturn Award. Most recently Alexandra designed the costumes for ‘Empire of Light’, directed by Sam Mendes. Alexandra is currently designing costumes for Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella with the Royal Ballet.

KEITH LODWICK
Keith Lodwick is a curator, writer, and historian. He is the former Curator of Theatre and Screen Arts at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. At the V&A, Keith curated Vivien Leigh: Public Faces, Private Lives and was the V&A assistant curator for the major exhibition Hollywood Costume, one of the most successful exhibitions in the museum’s history. Keith has contributed to a wide range of publications including Oliver Messel: In the Theatre of Design, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty and Shoe Reels: The History and Philosophy of Footwear in Film.

FASHION & CINEMA
Launched in 2012, Fashion & Cinema is a series of events created and produced by Tristana Media including film screenings, on-stage conversations and talks exploring the relationship between fashion and cinema as well as the work of costume designers.