The Costume Designers Guild has announced their nominees for 2008, and Prince Caspian costume designer Isis Mussenden has been nominated for excellence in fantasy film!  Congrats, Isis!

The nominees for excellence in fantasy film are Isis Mussenden for “Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” Lindy Hemming for “The Dark Knight” and Sanja Milkovic Hays for ” The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.”

It looks like she’s up against some pretty stiff competition.  I’ve not seen The Mummy 3, but Dark Knight’s costumes were pretty incredible.  At least the few that were recognizably original to the film.

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“THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE EXHIBITION” TO PREMIERE IN ARIZONA THIS SUMMER

PHOENIX, April 18, 2008 — “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition,” a state-of-the-art entertainment and educational exhibition based on the blockbuster film series and C.S. Lewis’ beloved fictional books, will premiere June 7, 2008, at Arizona Science Center. The excitement of the story adored by all generations is now being brought to life with an exhibition that will offer visitors the opportunity to view authentic costumes, props and set dressings from the films portraying the famed literary fantasy world of Narnia. Coinciding with the opening of the new film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” the 10,000-square-foot educational exhibition will escort guests of all ages on a learning tour of myth, magic and adventure.

Member tickets to “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition,” which is being created and produced by The Becker Group, Inc. in association with Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, go on sale today, Friday, April 18. Tickets for the general public will go on sale Monday, April 28.

“This exhibition will bring the excitement of the films together with complementary educational aspects to create an experience that stimulates the senses and the mind,” said Glenn Tilley, president and chief executive officer of Becker Group. “We anticipate that this exhibition will captivate the nation and leave audiences with lasting memories.”

Visitors to the exhibition will view artifacts from C.S. Lewis’ personal study and experience exciting, iconic environments such as the famous attic and wardrobe that served as the portal into the Narnia adventures.

Once passing through the portal, guests will explore immersive, themed “scenes,” beginning with a wintry Narnia world, complete with falling snow and cold wind, as seen in the series’ first film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” The tour then continues through other spectacles from the films, including the White Witch’s ice palace, Cair Paravel and additional displays and environments from the upcoming films.

“We are honored to be the first institution to host ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition,’” said Chevy Humphrey, president and chief executive officer, Arizona Science Center. “The hands-on science education lessons embodied within this exhibition will offer our visitors the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the unique items used in the films and to take home a powerful message about the stewardship of the environment. We know this exhibition will engage people of all ages by bridging entertainment with education.

Incorporating the movies’ original props with newly created interactive elements, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Exhibition” will allow visitors to enter three-dimensional settings that combine both fantasy and reality.

Brought to life for the first time, the exhibition will include several interactive elements, including:

• A replica of the Witch’s Throne that will bring the film to life in a unique sensory experience where visitors will have the opportunity to sit on the iconic, icy throne and feel the chill. A nearby display will describe the impact of climate change on our planet and investigate whether our planet could be frozen
for 100 years like the world of Narnia.

• An area featuring King Miraz’ Castle from the upcoming film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian,” where visitors will have the opportunity to build an arch, learning about the architectural structure and strategy involved in the design. Starting from the ground up, visitors will place pieces of the arch in their correct positions, complete the structure by putting the keystone at the top, and finally, step back to marvel at the architectural wonder.

• An area highlighting conflicts in Narnia that will feature an authentic chain-mail suit that can be touched and lifted with the assistance of a museum attendant. Visitors will be invited to hold the chain-mail armor, feeling the tremendous weight and imagining what it would have been like to fight in the suit. This element will be located in the area of the exhibition that features suits of armor worn in the “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” film.

First published in 1950, more than 100 million copies of “The Chronicles of Narnia” series have been sold in more than 48 languages. The series’ first big-screen adaptation, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” grossed more than $745 million worldwide. Since the book series has long been a regarded source of reading inspiration that merges fantasy and historic knowledge, a special teacher’s guide that includes information on weather and climate will be available to academic communities in each of the
exhibition’s touring cities.

For venue sales: (800) 777-9627 or for more information about the exhibition: narniaexhibition.com

© DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. and WALDEN MEDIA, LLC. All rights reserved. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, NARNIA, and all book titles, characters and locales original thereto are trademarks of C.S. Lewis Pte Ltd. and are used with permission.

The licensed contents of this Exhibition is on loan from Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, LLC.

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Christys’ & Company has revealed Prince Caspian Costumes for Kids. They include Peter the Knight, Susan, Lucy, and variations of Prince Caspian. And let’s not forget the continuing releases of Special Edition Monopoly sets. I’ve got Lord of the Rings and Star Wars editions. Now I’ll be able to add the Prince Caspian Edition!

[Check out the Prince Caspian Costumes]

Thanks to everyone who sent this in early in the morning.

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We’ve just posted the sixteenth edition of the NarniaFans Mailbag. We’ve answered five letters this week, covering the blooper reel, costuming and hairstyles, Prince Caspian, and more. Keep those e-mails coming!

Click here for the sixteenth NarniaFans Mailbag!

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In the final installment of his two part photo essay, Jeff Lange shares the rest of the shots that he took while visiting Disney-MGM’s “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” walk-through attraction.

by Jeff Lange – 02-09-06

Picking up where we left off on Tuesday: After a brief stop outside Mr. Tumnus’ house …

It was time to visit the prop & costume gallery portion of Disney-MGM’s “Journey into Narnia: Creating the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” walk-through exhibit. Which seemed to mostly focus on the White Witch. For here on display was Jadis’ sleigh …

Her magic wand …

… as well as a costume that Tilda Swinton wore while playing this villainous role.

Jadis’ evil minions were also represented. Here you see a clay sculpt of a minotaur, which was used in preparation for “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” ’s big CG-laden battle scenes.

[See the images and read the rest at JimHillMedia.com]

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Tossing its hat into the ongoing onslaught of nominations, the Costume Designers Guild on Wednesday announced the nominees for its eighth annual Costume Designers Guild Awards.

This year, the guild separated its period/fantasy category into two separate categories. Nominated for fantasy film work are: Lindy Hemming, “Batman Begins”; Gabriella Pescucci, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”; Isis Mussenden, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe“; Nina Proctor, “Sin City”; and Trisha Biggar, “Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith.”

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Philo and Lady Eowyn from the NarniaWeb costume site had the opportunity to interview Isis Musssenden, costume designer for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Below is an excerpt from their exclusive interview:

Q: How much did you interact with the text of the book itself for inspiration? Did you draw upon other books in the Chronicles as well?

Isis Mussenden: More than you (or I) can imagine! I can not tell you how many times I have read it. Depending on what area of the story we were working on I constantly referred back to the chapters for clues and inspiration. And yes, the other books were also helpful. Although LWW is the first time in the Chronicles we meet the children, it was helpful to understand where their characters were going.

Q: A lot of symbolism seems to have gone in to her costumes. Can you tell us a little more about this? What went into the construction of her gowns?

Isis Mussenden: The fabric we created for her dress is directly related to the ice images I spoke of earlier. The first layer is a velvet dyed with resist areas for a modeled look. The second layer is felted wool and silk. The raw materials were dyed and then felted to fit the shape of each dress. The sheen of the silk is what gave us icy lines and begins to create the depth. The final layer is the lace. This is metallic thread and organza pieces, also dyed, sewn onto a burn out fabric. We would draw the ice crackle from a small scale to a larger scale at the hem of the dress. This gives us the illusion of height, she is a giant. Then a seamstress would machine endless amounts of thread over the lines and finally we would burn out the back. Each panel was made this way for all of the six dresses. Once the lace was ready we would hand sew it on to the felted dress and then and only then the dress would truly come to life. Tilda use to comment on how amazing it was when we would lay on that last layer. It was always a little piece of magic.

[Click here to read the entire interview here]

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Young people from Belfast and beyond are being urged to share in the fantasy world created by CS Lewis by helping to design costumes for a Narnia-themed parade.

Due to take place in east Belfast in December, street performers, characters from the magical world of Narnia and people carrying lanterns will be taking part in the event.

This year’s theme is based on the influence of author CS Lewis, who was born in the Dundela area of the city.

Belfast Telegraph

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