When considering fashion in film, horror is not the first genre that comes to mind. A damsel in distress slowly shedding her tank top and jeans rarely constitutes a fashionable film. However, in the spirit of Halloween, horror has become the genre of choice here at The Rathaus. And while viewing some of the most terrifying films ever made we managed to find some great fashion.Rob Zombie's House of 1000 Corpses is a distinctly stylistic film in every aspect, including the costuming. With its clothing, the film chooses not to box itself into the trends of its time but instead uses unique pieces and combinations to create a sense of timelessness. The incorporation of bold yet muted colors, layering, sequins, and detailed jackets help draw the viewer into a world brimming with surreal violence. This is best exemplified with the character of Denise Willis who after being captured is costumed in a baby doll dress complete with knee high socks and doll-like makeup. As Willis struggles her way through the the House of 1000 Corpses she brings with her a childlike innocence that is further emphasized by the clothes she wears.With House of 1000 Corpses Rob Zombie used fashion, cinematography, set design, and quick cuts drawn from retro-horror kitsch and his own celebrity persona to establish himself an auteurist. For the fashionably minded looking for a great film and a good scare this week leading up to Halloween, House of 1000 Corpses is one twisted carny ride you do not want to miss.by: Tricia Rock" />spooky cinema style: house of 1000 corpses | The Rathaus

Home » culture »The Rathaus » Currently Reading:

Spooky Cinema Style: House of 1000 Corpses

October 28, 2008 culture, The Rathaus

When considering fashion in film, horror is not the first genre that comes to mind. A damsel in distress slowly shedding her tank top and jeans rarely constitutes a fashionable film. However, in the spirit of Halloween, horror has become the genre of choice here at The Rathaus. And while viewing some of the most terrifying films ever made we managed to find some great fashion.

Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses is a distinctly stylistic film in every aspect, including the costuming. With its clothing, the film chooses not to box itself into the trends of its time but instead uses unique pieces and combinations to create a sense of timelessness. The incorporation of bold yet muted colors, layering, sequins, and detailed jackets help draw the viewer into a world brimming with surreal violence. This is best exemplified with the character of Denise Willis who after being captured is costumed in a baby doll dress complete with knee high socks and doll-like makeup. As Willis struggles her way through the the House of 1000 Corpses she brings with her a childlike innocence that is further emphasized by the clothes she wears.

With House of 1000 Corpses Rob Zombie used fashion, cinematography, set design, and quick cuts drawn from retro-horror kitsch and his own celebrity persona to establish himself an auteurist. For the fashionably minded looking for a great film and a good scare this week leading up to Halloween, House of 1000 Corpses is one twisted carny ride you do not want to miss.

by: Tricia Rock

Comments Off

Comment on this Article:

Related Articles:

LunaFest

February 28, 2011

• LunaFest: Presented by GaDuGi SafeCenter Liberty Hall (803 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, KS) Sunday, March 6, 4-8pm Annual Lunafest film festival. Lunafest will feature short films made by women about women starting at 5pm and an art show starting at 4pm. Tickets are available at the venue for $10 ($8 for students and seniors). ...Read More

Films For Action presents: The Yes Men Fix the World

February 21, 2011

• Films For Action presents: The Yes Men Fix the World Liberty Hall (803 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, KS) Monday, February 28, 7-9pm From the organizers (Films For Action): THE YES MEN FIX THE WORLD is a screwball true story about two gonzo political activists who, posing as top executives of giant corporations, lie their ...Read More

Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire

January 20, 2011

Aaron Storck • Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire Paragraph Gallery (23 East 12th Street in Kansas City, MO) Friday, January 21, 6-9pm (Ongoing until Mar. 5) From the organizers: Charlotte Street Foundation’s Urban Culture Project is pleased to present “OUT OF THE FRYING PAN AND INTO THE FIRE,” new work by ...Read More

Art Roundup: October 8, 2010 to October 15, 2010

October 8, 2010

Weekly roundup of the best art shows and art related events in and around the Lawrence/Kansas City area. If you come down to Astrokitty Comics on Saturday you will even see a Mighty Mugg from yours truly (Scott Stewart). Check out the link below on our new calendar system October 8, 2010 through October 15, ...Read More

Film Screening of Dirty Business & Climate Action Discussion

October 8, 2010

• Film Screening of Dirty Business & Climate Action Discussion Ecumenical Christian Ministries (1204 Oread. St. in Lawrence, KS) Sunday, October 10, 7-9:30pm From the organizers (Films For Action): Films For Action, the Sustainability Action Network, KU Eco-Justice & GPACE present a free encore screening of Dirty Business on Sunday October 10th. This event is ...Read More

Art

Artist Shout Out: Walter Inglis Anderson

Artist Shout Out: Walter Inglis Anderson

Walter Inglis Anderson was an American painter, writer, naturalist and bicycle enthusiast. Artist Bio: Walter Inglis Anderson was born in 1903 in New Orleans to George Walter Anderson, a grain merchant, and Annette McConnell Anderson, an artist. His mother’s love of art, music, and literature strongly influenced Walter (called “Bob” by his friends and family) ...Read More

Music

New Music Review: Widowspeak “Widowspeak”

New Music Review: Widowspeak “Widowspeak”

With a Cat Power alto and Mazzy Star whisper, Widowspeak‘s self-titled debut LP embodies the essence of the 90′s. But with band members born just at the cusp of the decade,  singer/songwriter Molly Hamilton, drummer Michael Stasiak and guitarist Robert Earl Thomas offer not a retelling of the 90′s but a new generation’s interpretation of ...Read More

Fashion

Runway Style: Thomas Tait Fall 2011

Runway Style: Thomas Tait Fall 2011

Canadian-born designer Thomas Tait began his career as the youngest graduate of London’s Central Saint Martins, completing the program at just 21. His graduate collection was then chosen as a feature in the CSM fashion week show for the Fall 2010 season, after which he went on to receive the Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize on ...Read More

Photography

Photo File: Saga

Photo File: Saga

From the photographer: “I am Saga. I am from Iceland but currently live, study and work in London.” See more of Saga’s work on: Flickr The Neverending Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...Read More

Film

Style Watch: Harmony Korine for Proenza Schouler “Act Da Fool”

Style Watch: Harmony Korine for Proenza Schouler “Act Da Fool”

To showcase their Fall 2010 line, Proenza Schouler teamed up with legendary cult filmmaker Harmony Korine to create Act Da Fool. With the influx of short fashion films in early 2010, designers now seem to be stepping it up a notch in the video department – and in my opinion Act Da Fool takes the ...Read More

TV

Style Trends: Beverly Hills 90210

Style Trends: Beverly Hills 90210

With the DVD release of its first six seasons and an updated CW remake, Beverly Hills 90210 has yet again become a source of entertainment and fashion inspiration for girls (and grownup girls) everywhere. References to the show in the fashion world began popping up in late 2006, around the time of the 90210 Season ...Read More

Web

Photo Flash: The Camel Thorn Trees of Namibia, Africa

Photo Flash: The Camel Thorn Trees of Namibia, Africa

photograph by Frans Lanting, National Geographic Tinted orange by the morning sun, a soaring dune is the backdrop for the hulks of camel thorn trees in Namib-Naukluft Park. In 1990 newly independent Namibia became one of the world’s first nations to write environmental protection into its constitution. Read more about Namibia’s unqiue efforts at land stewardship here. ...Read More

News

Infographic: Sitting is Killing You

Infographic: Sitting is Killing You

See the entire infographic here Read an article about a Canadian sitting study here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...Read More

Funny

Funny Video: Charlotte Young’s Artist Statement

Funny Video: Charlotte Young’s Artist Statement

Any artist will tell you, the worst thing about being an artist besides being poor is writing a bullshit artist statement. Don’t worry though, Charlotte Young is actually a comedian and not a depressed artist so don’t feel guilty for laughing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...Read More