BELFAST.- A touch of good old-fashioned Hollywood glamour descended on the Ulster Museum this summer, when an exclusive costume exhibition opened Friday.

The fashion exhibition, entitled STARSTRUCK, features 50 of the world’s most filmed and photographed costumes worn by famous stars of television and the big screen.
S
pectacular highlights include many of the costumes from BAFTA and Oscar award-winning films and television dramas such as The King’s Speech, Downton Abbey, Shakespeare in Love, The Duchess, Evita and Dangerous Liaisons.

The dazzling costumes on display were worn by international film stars including Elizabeth Taylor, Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley and Tom Cruise.

Kim Mawhinney, Head of Art for National Museums Northern Ireland, said: “The star quality of the clothes cannot be underestimated. Costume plays a critical role in the success of any period drama or film. It helps engage the audience, introduce the characters and their lives.

“The Ulster Museum is a perfect venue for this spectacular exhibition given museums play such an important role in the historical accuracy of these costumes.

“STARSTRUCK offers something for everyone from Hollywood blockbusters to period dramas - including Heath Ledger and Sienna Miller’s costumes from Casanova, Drew Barrymore’s fantastical outfit from Ever After: A Cinderella Story and the sheer elegance of the daughters’ dresses from the BAFTA award winning Downton Abbey.”

Tim Cooke, Director of National Museums Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted that so many of these iconic costumes are now on display in the Ulster Museum which itself has a long and popular tradition of showcasing its own collection of historic and contemporary dress. This special exhibition offers a rich spectacle, displaying costumes to impressive effect and allowing visitors a first-hand encounter with the sometimes simple and the sometimes spectacular circumstances in which they were worn.”