Ian Fleming, former journalist and creator of super spy James Bond, gave him the licence to kill and the films gave him the sartorial panache and mannerisms not seen before.
To mark the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film franchise, from 1962’s Dr No to yet-to-be released Skyfall, directed by Sam Mendes, a unique exhibition at the Barbican in London will document 50 years of design and style of the fictional MI6 agent 007. The film is produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, who are half-siblings and run London-based EON Productions, which has the copyright to make the Bond films. The first book was written by Fleming in 1953 and the first Bond film was Dr No in 1962.
The most recent film in the Bond series was Quantum of Solace in 2008 and it made $586 million worldwide. Casino Royale, which was actor Daniel Craig’s first film as MI6 agent, was released in 2006 and it made $594 million worldwide.
Craig is the sixth actor to play MI6 agent after Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.
The exhibition, called “Designing 007 — 50 Years Of Bond Style”, will be a multi-sensory experience, immersing audiences in the creation and development of Bond style over its 50-year history. The exhibition, designed by Ab Rogers, will be curated by the Barbican and guest-curated by fashion historian Bronwyn Cosgrave and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming.
It will explore the craft behind the screen icons, the secret service and villains, tailoring and costumes, set and production design, automobiles, gadgets and special effects, graphic design and motion graphics, exotic locations, stunts and props.
The highlight of the exhibition will be the lavish costumes and livery used in the Bond films, with items by top designers like Giorgio Armani, Roberto Cavalli, Tom Ford, Hubert de Givenchy, Gucci’s Frida Giannini, Miuccia Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Philip Treacy, Emanuel Ungaro, and Donatella Versace. However, the clothes will also include the Bond girl bikinis and the swimming trunks worn by the actors who played Bond.
“We intend, having explored the contents of the extensive EON archives, to thrill visitors with an insight into some of the design processes involved in the many different ways of making the Bond films,” guest curator Lindy Hemming said.
The exhibition will include a plethora of props, weapons, production designs, special effects and accessories, including the steel teeth worn by Richard “Jaws” Kiel. It will also include gadgets and weapons made for Bond and his notorious adversaries and artwork for sets and storyboards by production designers.
The exhibition will run from July 6 to September 5 this year at the Barbican in London.