Funny Girl, A Masterclass In Costume

It's no shock that the costume design in Funny Girl is iconic when you know that Irene Sharaff was at the helm. An icon in film, she won five Academy Awards and was nominated for 11 more. Her style and goal are always clear, never more so than in Funny Girl. She described her style in two ways;

‘I see everything in blocks of color,’

‘I prefer (the colors): reds, pinks, oranges.’

The film begins with what is easily the most iconic costume in the whole film, the leopard print coat. The coat has to be iconic since it comes back later in the film and it's important that we recognise it. This scene is where our main character, Fanny Brice, will be by the end of the film.

The film then flashes back to a young Fanny, her costume here is childlike. This decision allows us to see the character as naive, green, new to the city. 

Soon after Fanny is putting on a show, this marks the start of her dressing like an adult. She wears a gorgeous wedding gown but with a fake pregnancy belly to play for laughs. It's truly a testament to the character, the designer, and Barbra Streisand that she remains elegant looking despite the comic twist.

The outfit that best showcases Sharaff and her style is the bright orange dress Fanny wears during the Don't Rain On My Parade number. A solid block of color, a beautiful orange color, both things that Sharaff has said she feels drawn to. And despite how it sounds on paper the dress is elegant, it moves gracefully, and it centers Fanny on the screen.

The film ends with Fanny back in her iconic leopard print. Serving not only to create an iconic, recognizable look. But also to draw the film back to the start. Looping it in a very well dressed circle.