Moulin Rouge was a high budget movie directed by Baz Luhrmann and released globally in 2001. Set in the 1890s in the Moulin Rouge in Paris, the film is a 'red carpet' theatrical production starrring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. Luhrmann and his partner Catherine Martin were first inspired by Bollywood movies when they conceived the project.

The fourteen key Moulin Rouge costumes, props and continuity books, are a magnificent example of the work of a talented team of Australian designers and costumiers working under director, Baz Luhrmann, with his partner Catherine Martin and costume designer Angus Strathie. In all 450 costumes were designed and made for the production and another 350 costumes were hired or 'found' for the eighteen principals and seventy dancers. The film involved many levels of complexity in its development and a large number of talented people in all areas of cinematography, choreography, musical composition, sets, props and costumes. The movie was heavily promoted online, in magazines and publications.
The characters represented in this costume selection are Satine played by Nicole Kidman, Christian played by Ewan McGregor, the Unconscious Argentinian played by Jacek Koman, Harold Zidler played by Jim Broadbent, Toulouse Lautrec played by John Leguizamo and five can can dancers.

The Moulin Rouge costumes are the second group of Luhrmann's film costumes represented in the Museum's collection. The complete set from Luhrmann's first movie 'Strictly Ballroom' was featured in a Powerhouse Museum exhibition in 1991.
The exhibition of these costumes, 'Spectacular! Spectacular! On the set of Moulin Rouge', held in 2001 was an enormous success with 10,000 people visiting during the first weekend. The costumes are extravagant and beautifully made and they admirably represent the skills and talents of the many Australians involved.

450 new costumes were designed by Catherine Martin and Angus Strathie. Catherine Martin came up with a conceptual idea of each character which was then interpreted and developed by Angus Strathie. Martin referred to long term fashion forecasting to decide on themes and colours. Costumes combine a professional theatrical approach to quality and historical silhouette juxtaposed with contemporary fashions and colours. The costumes were not designed to be reproductions of costumes from 1899, but to give enough flavour of contemporary western trends to capture interest and entice us into the past at the Moulin Rouge. Eliza Godman co-ordinated the project, supervising a Sydney team of 40 costumiers, cutters, shoemakers and milliners. Millinery was organised by Rosie Boylan, with Rick McGill and seven milliners. The hair and 85 wigs were designed by Aldo Signoretti. All the main characters wore wigs except Ewan McGregor and John Leguizamo. Make-up was by Maurizio Silvi, costume art finishing by Jason Gibaud, shoes by Jodie Morrison and Donna-May Bolinger.

Costume files provide measurements and details for each actor so costumes can be made with the minimum number of fittings.

Continuity books contain information about each actor and what they are wearing in each scene so that when shots are remade at a later date the characters will look exactly the same.

The costumes, though made in Australia, were owned by Fox Studios who funded the film.

Continuity books (7), and textile pieces (2), from the movie, 'Moulin Rouge', paper / plastic / metal / fabric, designed by Baz Luhrmann / Catherine Martin / Angus Strathie, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2000

Continuity books consisting of 7 ring-binders and 2 pieces of gold and red brocade.

Measurements Folder - includes measurements and photos of the principal actors, principal doubles, can can dancers, dance teams (male & female) and speciality team.

Paris Dancers & Paris Doubles Folder - includes polaroids of the Paris and Montmartre dancers in their rehearsal montage underwear and Hindi costumes.

Montmartre Team Design & Fabric Sheets Folder - includes fabric sheets and design drawings for the Montmartre team, male & female, can can and daywear outfits.

Paris Team Design & Fabric Sheets Folder - includes fabric sheets and some design drawings for the Paris dancers, male & female, for the rehearsal montage scene.

Designs for the Hindi Folder - includes designs and fabric sheets for all Hindi characters.

Costume Drawings Folder - includes designs of each named characters full wardrobe

Final folder includes continuity photos and wardrobe change sheets for many secondary characters.

Designed: Luhrmann, Baz; Sydney, New South Wales; 2000

Designed: Martin, Catherine; Sydney, New South Wales; 2000

Designed: Strathie, Angus; Sydney, New South Wales; 2000

Owned: Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation;

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2008/199/17

2000