'Moulin Rouge' Fashions: Experts Weigh In!

Kelly Cutrone and Robert Verdi recall the film's influence on style back in 2001 before MTV News' live stream today at 3 p.m. ET.
By Jocelyn Vena

Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor in "Moulin Rouge"
Photo: Fox

"Moulin Rouge" wasn't just about the music; it was also about the fashion. Costume designer Catherine Martin took home the Oscar when the film premiered, thanks to taking turn-of-the-century styles and updating them for a brand-new century. Nicole Kidman dazzled in a bevy of corsets, feathers and sequins.

"When 'Moulin Rouge' came out 10 years ago, the entire fashion world was on the edge of their seat waiting to see the looks that were going to appear in the movie," celebrity stylist Robert Verdi recalled. "Fifteen years prior, we hadn't seen those shape-changing looks that women really love. We had gone away from it. The '90s were kind of bleak and austere and dark, and here comes 'Moulin Rouge' and restores our faith in fantasy and in fashion."

Fashion PR maven Kelly Cutrone had a similar recollection of the film's fashion, which had fans trying to re-create those bombshell looks. "It was one of the first films in a really long time to actually invade and take over the fashion industry," she said. "We went from kind of asymmetrical oversized clothing to everybody's wearing corsets. ... It was great for all the corsets designers."

For more on the film, check out MTV News' special "Moulin Rouge at 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event," which looks at the influence of the film on all things pop culture, including fashion.

MTV News will reunite director Baz Luhrmann and Ewan McGregor, today at 3 p.m. ET on MTV.com. The director and actor will be joined by co-star John Leguizamo, who played artist Toulouse-Lautrec, and Martin, who won the Oscar not only for costume design and but also for art direction. Hosted by MTV News' Josh Horowitz, the live stream will include special appearances and live interviews while looking back at how the film came to be and how its legacy continues to grow.

Don't miss "Moulin Rouge at 10: A Spectacular Spectacular MTV News Event" today at 3 p.m. ET on MTV.com! Get in the conversation by tweeting @MTVNews with the hashtag #AskMoulin.

Norma Shearer Gary Numan Elen Rives Misako Yasuda