Holly Hunter as Ada in 'The Piano' Designed by Janet Patterson

Description

Maroon silk period suit [C285A] dark wine colored silk fitted bodice, black button detailing down hook and eye front closure, ribbon and cord detailing; [C285B] wine colored silk full skirt with heavy pleating at waistline; [C285C & C285D] pair of white cotton false sleeves with cream embroidered cuffs; [C285E] white cotton long chemise; [C285F] pair of white cotton bloomers with embroidered hems; [C285G] white with blue and red stripe lace up corset; [C285H & C285I] pair of white cotton petti-coats with embroidered detailing; [C285J] pair of black knit knee length stocking with scalloped edges ; [C285K] wine colored silk shawl with fringe; [C285L] pair of black leather lace up boots and [C285M] brown/wine velvet period hat with ribbon ties of grey and maroon water wash and stripe; [C285N] two hoop skirts [C285O] pair of black brocade slippers Steppin'Out," [C285P] pair of long tan stockings embroidered in floral motif in multi-color thread and [C285Q] pair of cream knit long stockings with scalloped embroidered edge.

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Additional Notes

Holly Hunter was not the first choice to play the role of Ada, the mute pianist, who, along with her daughter is sold into an arranged marriage and shipped to the exotic bush back country frontier of New Zealand in 1850. But, because of her performance, she received the academy award for her disturbingly haunting performance- and- without the character actually speaking. She insisted on playing her own piano pieces for the film and she became adept in an interpretative sign language (which did not actually exist in the 1850’s). It is a beautiful yet disturbing film that deals with Gothic romantic impulses and one that takes your emotions and twists them into a knot.

Janet Patterson was masterful in achieving authenticity in the costumes for the film, having fabrics created and searching out accurate vintage accessories that would become such a vital part of one of the film’s themes: the potential sexuality and sensuality of clothes. They also represented the character’s Victorian mid-century displacement into the rainy muddy back world of New Zealand. She received an Academy nomination for Best Costume Design for her work on the film.

Because of my reaction to this film, I fought for years to acquire these costumes which were languishing in a Miramax office after being sent to the United States for an exhibition. I will always hold a place of reverence and gratitude to Janet Patterson, for finally making it happen.

Collection

Citation

“Holly Hunter as Ada in 'The Piano' Designed by Janet Patterson,” Film Costume Collection, accessed March 29, 2024, https://filmcostumecollection.omeka.net/items/show/1346.

Item Relations

Item: Images of Holly Hunter in 'The Piano' Still images from film This Item