Jan 24 2009
Academy Award Profile of Catherine Martin: Costume Designer for ‘Australia’
Australia was probably the least surprising of all of the 2009 Academy Award nominees for Achievement in Costume Design. More than 2,000 costumes were required to complete production of the film, some of which were worn by star Nicole Kidman.
Known for working frequently on Baz Luhrmann productions, Catherine Martin has worked with Kidman before for Oscar-winning art direction and costume design on Moulin Rouge. Martin also contributes to fashion outside of film and theater, working in the mainstream fashion industry and producing home furnishings.
She is also married to Luhrmann, which may explain the felicity with which she incorporates film and other costume design into her everyday life.
Close to Kidman, The Australian designer was in attendance at the actress’ wedding to Keith Urban.
Martin’s research for the film turned up similarities between Kidman and icons of the 1930s period in which Australia is based, such as Katherine Hepburn. She describes this in a recent interview with The Boston Globe as a “chameleon” ability shared by these icons.
The nominated film includes a variety of outfits for Kidman: Asian-inspired, typical ‘Western’ gear, and dresses appropriate for a civilized English lady. Beyond her wardrobe is the rugged style of Hugh Jackman and the native Aborigine people, reflecting Martin’s true skill and diversity in design.
For a list of all nominees in this cateogry, check here.
Additional Sources: Catherine Martin; IMDb
Check back soon for further information about other costume designers in this nomination category.
- Academy Award Profile of Albert Wolsky: Costume Designer for ‘Revolutionary Road’
- Academy Award Nominees
- 1984 Academy Award Winner: “Amadeus,” Fact or Fiction?
- The 2009 Oscars Academy Award Winners Ceremony – Slumdog Millionaire a British Film an Indian Victory
- Shane Acker’s Academy Award-nominated Short Film 9
I loved her outfits.
Dear Tara,
It is great that you have profiled Catherine Martin on your blog and mentioned the movie Australia. As an Australian who has just been to see the movie (today) I must say that whilst some of the scenes may be a little implausible, the scope of the movie is magnificent and the costumes are excellent. The ball room scene and the “ugly” guests are very well done. I just thought you might like to edit your blog post though as you mention “Maoris”. Maoris are in fact native to New Zealand, which although close to Australia is a completely different cultural zone.
Australian native people are called “Aboriginals” or indigenous people and their racial background is quite different to the Maoris who are of South Pacific islander origin.
I hope you enjoy(ed) the movie as much as I did, but judging from some of the critical comments from the USA published here, it may be that it is too Australian to appeal over there.