James Acheson | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1946-03-13)13 March 1946 (age 79) Leicester,Leicestershire, England |
| Education | Colchester Royal Grammar School |
| Alma mater | Wimbledon School of Art |
| Occupation | Costume designer |
| Years active | 1973–present |
James Acheson (born 13 March 1946) is a Britishcostume designer. He has designed costumes and sets for television, theatre, opera, ballet and film, working in more than 14 different countries.
Acheson was educated atColchester Royal Grammar School and studied atWimbledon School of Art.[citation needed]
Acheson started working inBBC Television, where he designed the costumes and monsters for 36 episodes ofDoctor Who during the eras of theThird Doctor and theFourth Doctor, including establishing the costume for the Fourth Doctor, played byTom Baker. Upon creating the look for this character, Acheson purchased the wool for what is now known as the Doctor's signature extra-long scarf. As it was told by Acheson himself, a close friend who accepted the favour of knitting the scarf used the entirety of Acheson's wool. While it was never Acheson's intention for the scarf to be of such a length, it has been reported that he had drawn inspiration for the look from a poster byToulouse-Lautrec.[1] Acheson is also to credit for the first ever versions of theFirst andSecond Doctors' outfits to be shown on colour television. Acheson played a crucial part in creating the costumes that appeared in serials such asThe Mutants (1972),The Time Monster (1972),The Three Doctors (1972–73),Carnival of Monsters (1973),Robot (1974–75),Terror of the Zygons (1975),The Masque of Mandragora (1976) andThe Deadly Assassin (1976). Acheson used materials such as fiberglass and latex rubber and molded plastic.[2]
Acheson's other work for the BBC included designing the six episodes of the television adaptation ofThe Prince and the Pauper in 1976.
Acheson's film work includesTime Bandits (1981) andBrazil (1985), both directed byTerry Gilliam,Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (1983) andThe Wind in the Willows (1996), directed byTerry Jones,Highlander (1986), directed byRussel Mulcahy,The Man in the Iron Mask (1998), directed byRandall Wallace andMary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994), directed byKenneth Branagh.[3][4]
ForHighlander, he fashioned a traditional looking Scottish kilt forChristopher Lambert's character to wear.[5] While working on the filmThe Last Emperor (1987) his team of makers, including cutterAnnie Hadley, created costumes for 10,000 cast members in a period of 26 weeks.[2]
In the early 1990s, Acheson returned to work with hisThe Last Emperor director,Bernardo Bertolucci, onThe Sheltering Sky and the filmLittle Buddha, serving as both costume designer andproduction designer of the artistic project.[6]
Acheson gained his experience working on superhero films by signing on for the first threeSpider-Man movies, directed bySam Raimi as well asMan of Steel (2013) directed byZack Snyder.[7]
Film directorSam Raimi refers to Acheson as a visionary designer. ActorAlfred Molina credits Acheson for working with him on creating a comfortable, yet realistic costume for hisDoc Ock character.[2]
In an interview, Acheson admitted that a challenging part of his work is having to work with materials that are not easy to manipulate. Acheson has made materials such as plastic serve as lace for the low budgetedRestoration, directed byMichael Hoffman.[2] Acheson has admitted that the materials he used on films such asSpider-Man andMan of Steel were challenging yet fascinating.[2]
Acheson's theatre work includesHamlet in London and on Broadway starringRalph Fiennes and directed byJonathan Kent, andThe Marriage of Figaro in both Vienna and atThe Metropolitan Opera, directed by SirJonathan Miller.
For theRoyal New Zealand Ballet he designed both sets and costumes for a new production of Prokofiev's,Romeo and Juliet choreographed by Francesco Ventriglia.
Acheson is a three-timeAcademy Award winner forCostume Design for his work on the filmsThe Last Emperor, directed byBernardo Bertolucci,Dangerous Liaisons, directed byStephen Frears andRestoration, directed byMichael Hoffman.[6] Acheson won aBAFTA award for his work as costume designer onTheLast Emperor. James was recognized with aCDG Career Achievement Award in 2004.[8] In 2006, Acheson was one of the first three costume designers to ever have been awarded by theRodeo Drive Walk of Style.[7]
Acheson's favorite costume designer and inspiration while working on historical films is ItalianPiero Tosi.[1]
Acheson has also mentioned taking a liking to the work of fellowOscar winner, AmericanColleen Atwood, for films such asSnow White and the Huntsman. Acheson applauds Atwood for having a large range of work.[1]
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