To mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond franchise the Barbican presents, ‘Designing 007’, taking visitors on a narrative journey which begins with the first Bond film, ‘Dr No’, released in 1962 and concludes with ‘Skyfall’, due to be released in the UK on 26th October 2012. In celebration of the design heritage of perhaps the world’s most influential and iconic film franchise, ‘Designing 007’ showcases a selection of archival material including costumes, gadgets, props, motion graphics, storyboards, artwork and automobiles in collaboration with EON, the company that have produced all 23 films in the Bond series.
The exhibition designed by Ab Rogers and co-curated by fashion historian Bronwyn Cosgrave and Oscar®-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming in association with the Barbican, includes highlights such as The Chesterfield coat and hat Sean Connery wears in Dr No for his first meeting with M; Roger Moore’s yellow ski suit and red backpack seen on the slopes in The Spy Who Loved Me; George Lazenby’s kilt donned in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service; the Brioni suit Pierce Brosnan wore to drive a tank in Goldeneye; and Daniel Craig’s infamously snug baby-blue swim trunks of Casino Royale fame and a revolving circular bed complete with white sheets and a gold-painted female nude – a nod to the classic scene from Goldfinger.
Pussy Galore’s gold waistcoat and Scaramanga’s golden gun, the only remaining version in the world, are displayed in glass cases alongside the lethal hat worn by Oddjob and Sean Connery’s 1964 Aston Martin DB5 also immortalised in Goldfinger.
On display too is a selection of stunning on screen designs, worn by Bond and various of his girls, by Giorgio Armani, Brioni, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford, Givenchy, Gucci’s Frida Giannini, Douglas Hayward, Rifat Ozbek, Jenny Packham, Miuccia Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Anthony Sinclair, Philip Treacy, Emanuel Ungaro and Donatella Versace among others.
“It’s the longest running and most successful film franchise of all time – and the most glamorously made,” says Cosgrove. “Nothing can touch it. That is why Bond and his sidekicks are inspirational to people all over the world and to all ages.”
To quench post exhibition thirst, make like a Bond maiden and whether you like your drink shaken or stirred, choose from a selection of themed cocktails at the Barbican’s pop-up Martini Bar, click here for more information.
