Vogue Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2018 film is one of the most romantic stories ever captured on film, but more importantly, for the purposes of this publication, it is also one of the most accurate depictions of the agony and the ecstasy of working in fashion. Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Reynolds Woodcock, a 1950s couturier who makes supremely elegant gowns, and whose exacting silhouettes mirror his own rigorous character. As such, Woodcock’s every-day life is presented with a particular eye for the idiosyncrasies of being a creative genius; like the importance of quiet time at breakfast, where the designer sometimes sketches or otherwise mentally prepares for his creative tasks of the day ahead.
Anderson also takes careful consideration to show the inner workings of the couture studio where Woodcock works— surrounded by his team of seamstresses and tailors all in matching white jackets—and to showcasing the acts of fitting and constructing a garment itself. Day-Lewis, one of our greatest living actors—with his own incredible sense of personal style—reportedly trained for a year in the art of garment construction for the role, eventually recreating a dress by Balenciaga by himself. (While shooting, Day-Lewis also chose Reynolds Woodcock wardrobe from his own character’s closet.
) He presents House of Woodcock’s latest collection in a show that takes place at his townhouse—which serves as both his home and studio—as was the custom of the time. To an audience of so.
