Chaplin
Costume
1992 (designed and made)
1992 (designed and made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Film costume worn by Robert Downey Jnr. as Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin, designed by John Mollo and Ellen Mirojnick, 1992.
Richard Attenborough’s biopic was partly based on Charlie Chaplin’s own autobiography. The film follows Chaplin’s life, from his impoverished upbringing in London to becoming the world’s first international film star. Robert Downey Jnr. won a BAFTA for his performance as ‘the little tramp’. Costume designers John Mollo and Ellen Mirojnick shared credit for the film.
The British Film Institute (BFI) acquired its costume collection for display at the Museum of the Moving Image, which existed on the South Bank in London between 1988 and 1999. The collection is made up of British, European, American and Japanese films and covers the period from the silent film era to the mid-1990s. It contains a wealth of historic and significant film costumes worn by major performers and designed by some of the 20th century’s most important film costume designers. The collection was transferred to the V&A in 2015.
Richard Attenborough’s biopic was partly based on Charlie Chaplin’s own autobiography. The film follows Chaplin’s life, from his impoverished upbringing in London to becoming the world’s first international film star. Robert Downey Jnr. won a BAFTA for his performance as ‘the little tramp’. Costume designers John Mollo and Ellen Mirojnick shared credit for the film.
The British Film Institute (BFI) acquired its costume collection for display at the Museum of the Moving Image, which existed on the South Bank in London between 1988 and 1999. The collection is made up of British, European, American and Japanese films and covers the period from the silent film era to the mid-1990s. It contains a wealth of historic and significant film costumes worn by major performers and designed by some of the 20th century’s most important film costume designers. The collection was transferred to the V&A in 2015.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 10 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
|
| Title | Chaplin (generic title) |
| Brief description | Costume worn by Robert Downey Jnr. as Chaplin in Chaplin, designed by John Mollo and Ellen Mirojnick, 1992 |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Gallery Rotation, 2022
HAT AND CANE USED BY CHARLIE CHAPLIN, SUIT WORN BY ROBERT DOWNEY JR.
1914–36 and 1992
Charlie Chaplin first appeared on screen as ‘the Little Tramp’ in 1914. His bowler hat, suit and cane is one of the most famous ensembles in cinema. For the 1992 biopic, Robert Downey Jr.’s outfit was inspired by Chaplin’s original description: ‘boots to be worn on the wrong feet, the jacket and hat to be too small and the trousers to be too large’. To prepare for the role, Downey Jr. spent a year studying Chaplin’s films and
mastered his every movement, from the characteristic walk with turned-out feet to playing the violin.
Charlie Chaplin’s hat
Wool, silk and leather
Museum no. S.535-2018
Charlie Chaplin’s walking cane
Bamboo
Museum no. S.536-2018
Robert Downey Jr.’s costume
Designed by Ellen Mirojnick and John Mollo
Cotton, wool and silk
Given by the British Film Institute
Museum no. S.1680:1 to 5, 7, 9, 10-2015
(07/03/2022) |
| Credit line | Given by the British Film Institute |
| Summary | Film costume worn by Robert Downey Jnr. as Charlie Chaplin in Chaplin, designed by John Mollo and Ellen Mirojnick, 1992. Richard Attenborough’s biopic was partly based on Charlie Chaplin’s own autobiography. The film follows Chaplin’s life, from his impoverished upbringing in London to becoming the world’s first international film star. Robert Downey Jnr. won a BAFTA for his performance as ‘the little tramp’. Costume designers John Mollo and Ellen Mirojnick shared credit for the film. The British Film Institute (BFI) acquired its costume collection for display at the Museum of the Moving Image, which existed on the South Bank in London between 1988 and 1999. The collection is made up of British, European, American and Japanese films and covers the period from the silent film era to the mid-1990s. It contains a wealth of historic and significant film costumes worn by major performers and designed by some of the 20th century’s most important film costume designers. The collection was transferred to the V&A in 2015. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1680:1 to 10-2015 |
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| Record created | May 29, 2015 |
| Record URL |
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