Marit Allen
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Marit Allen (September 17, 1941 – November 26, 2007) was an English fashion journalist and costume designer who specialized in costumes for films.[1] She designed the costumes for several successful Hollywood films, including Mrs. Doubtfire, Eyes Wide Shut, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Brokeback Mountain and La Vie en Rose.[1] Her career as a film costume designer last over 33 years.[1]
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[edit] Early life and career
Marit Allen was born in Cheshire, England on September 17, 1941 to a Norwegian mother and an English father. She graduated from the University of Grenoble, in France.[1]
Allen's career in fashion began in 1961 when she took a job as a trainee at Queen Magazine.[1] She was quickly promoted to the editor and writer for the young fashion section of the magazine.[1] She left Queen in 1963 to take a position with British Vogue.[1] She remained at Vogue until 1973.[1] Allen also helped to establish the bachelor's degree program in journalism at Central St. Martin's Art College in 1973.[1]
[edit] Film career
Allen was persuaded to enter the costume designing business for film by director Nicolas Roeg after her successful career in fashion journalism.[1] Following her entry into costume design, Allen worked on the costumes for a number of Roeg's movies including Don't Look Now, The Witches and Eureka.[1]
Allen also developed a working relationship with Taiwanese film director, Ang Lee. The two collaborated to create the costumes for a number of Ang's major films, including Hulk, Brokeback Mountain and Ride with the Devil.[1]
Allen's other noted films included La Vie En Rose (2007) for which she received her sole Oscar nomination, Love in the Time of Cholera (2007), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988), Dead Man (1995), and Little Shop of Horrors (1986).[1]
In addition to her Academy Award nomination, Allen was also honored for her work with two Emmy nominations, as well as a Costume Designers Guild award and a BAFTA for her work on La Vie En Rose.[1]
[edit] Death
Marit Allen died of a brain aneurism in Sydney, Australia, on November 26, 2007.[1] She was 66 years old. Allen was survived by three children, Lucy, Ben and Holly.
Allen was working with director and producer George Miller on preproduction costume designs for the upcoming film Justice League of America at the time of her death in 2007.
[edit] External links
- Marit Allen at the Internet Movie Database
- The Guardian: Marit Allen, Former fashion editor who designed the costumes for a string of successful movies
- The Telegraph: Marit Allen obituary
- The Times: Marit Allen, Innovative Swinging Sixties fashion journalist who went on to become a highly esteemed costume designer for films
- Liverpool Daily Post: Marit Allen obituary
- Los Angeles Times: Marit Allen: Fashionista designed costumes for top Hollywood films
