Martin Sheen as Kit in 'Badlands' Designed by Rosanna Norton

Description

Aged and distressed LEVI denim jacket and a pair of 501 LEVI jeans, crotch of pants torn; brown leather belt with buckle. (Levis Strauss & Co.- W-30 L-29) Inscribed on patch "Martin Sheen Badlands 1974" and inscribed on back PR pocket "Martin Sheen." The pieces were acquired directly from Martin Sheen.

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Additional Notes

The 1973 American cult classic crime film set in 1959 South Dakota, was loosely based on true events and deals with the road-trip murder spree of a young couple. The film would eventually become a pop-culture phenomenon and considered as good and as “Bonnie and Clyde,” that deconstructs the way American culture romanticizes violence, serial killers and the chaos of youth.

Martin Sheen, who was 31 years old and already an established television actor, was reluctant to accept the role of a lifetime because it was written as a 19-year-old boy. But the director wanted him so much he was willing to re-write the character as older.

Costume designer, Rosanna Norton, was uncredited for her worn on the film. Her designs for the character of Kit were the American workwear look that was as popular in the 50’s as it was in the 70’s: that of a dark-wash double denim jean, jacket and white t-shirt. The denim fabric has existed for decades, becoming mostly known as the miners, cowboy and farmers working uniform. In the 50’s blue jeans became a symbol for the rock ‘n’ roll and teenage revolt and in the 70’s with the anti-war protesters, hippies and women’s rights activists. Today, this look is no longer representative of on the working class but has become a staple in the designer market clothing lines.

Collection

Citation

“Martin Sheen as Kit in 'Badlands' Designed by Rosanna Norton,” Film Costume Collection, accessed March 29, 2024, https://filmcostumecollection.omeka.net/items/show/1238.

Item Relations

Item: Images of Martin Sheen in 'Badlands' Still images from film This Item