How Austin Butler Was Transformed Into Elvis | Vanity Fair

Costume designer Catherine Martin and her husband Baz Luhrmann have created incredible cinematic magic together. For their latest film 'Elvis,' Catherine was tasked with recreating iconic moments that took the world by storm in the 1950s. From Elvis' black leather suit to the infamous pink and black hues that highlighted the King of Rock and Roll's sexuality and rebellion, Catherine breaks down the ins and outs of transforming Austin Butler into Elvis.




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[Barfigarfi]

I like how she said the costumes were MORE perfect than the true outfits because that’s how people remembered them. Oscar winner statement right there

[Zuul]

I’m hoping she wins the Oscar for Best Costume Design

[cinefiend]

This is the reason why Catherine Martin will win her 3rd Oscar in Costume Design. Her costumes are absolutely stunning. Her explanation of how and why the pants were structured in that way was fascinating. Moreover, it also shows why every aspect of filmmaking deserves to be recognized at the Oscar’s live telecast and not in the pre-show. These creators and designers and crafters of art are all quite magnificent. Brava!

[AlvaroIbacacheS]

This is sort of a mini master class on costume design and how the mind of the designer works in therms of accuracy. I hope all of the historical costumes YouTubers would see this and understand a little bit of the process and not so be harsh with the movies and designers who made it.

[cadeevans]

She did a great job transforming Austin into Elvis he is a great Elvis love the costumes and designs awesome info

[ElvisRose_]

She had better win Best Costume. Elvis had an enviable strong sense of confidence that fits the daring creative flair and so much of who he was, in his everyday look & on stage look, and when those two aspects comes together into a truly rebellious yet natural fashion identity that I adore and admire about Elvis.

[cathryneallen]

I love how Baz considered the movie an interpretation rather than imitation of Elvis….that’s why the movie is such a success….all Baz’s movies are fantastic.

[ivoryglass]

I will admit, I thought this movie was going to be a flop or not that good because to me Austin naturally looks NOTHING like Elvis. BUT BOY was I wrong. I ended up going to see it in theaters because everyone was saying how good it was. I was honestly shocked at how AMAZING IT WAS!! AUSTIN played Elvis perfectly, no-one could have played it any better. It was so heartbreaking and I didn't know much about Elvis at all....I only knew he was super famous, an icon and he was married, had Lisa, was an icon and died of an Overdose. This was an incredible story that told you his side....and why he turned to drugs and just how he was worked to the BONE! :( It's so so sad. I love Britney Spears so much and I see so much of her in him and their stories are very similar to some degree. Totally taken advantage of, obviously neither of them were perfect but had very good hearts, generous, trusting souls. :( Anyways, I am now a true Elvis fan, I have spent my day off researching more about him because I am so interested in his life and story more then ever. I did not care or have an interest before. That truly speaks for itself about this movie!!!!

[Rockon]

Watched the movie yesterday. Still thinking about it. I loved all the pieces where he was wearing belts and jewellery. And the white costume he wore in Vegas. Catherine Martin I hope you win another Oscar!

[romifarias]

as a student of costume design, this is very helpful to me, all the process of creating the costumes.

[Angelfeather]

This is truly a gem! One cannot have often such an in-depth glance into this amazing process. Every aspect of a movie making is actually paramaount and contributes to the success of the whole. Every piece of the puzzle is an independent art and yet at the end these puzzle pieces must come together and form a homogeneous, gorgeous masterpiece. I was more than thrilled watching this video and wish to thank Catherine Martin for the explanations and you for sharing them!

[lucihenson]

Who would have thought that there was more than one lot leather pants! Catherine is an artist and her attention to detail is amazing

[jj-ifit]

I've only seen a few clips but I can't believe Austin is really singing. It's so good

[scrtpassword]

Omg! I’m so glad she mentioned the differences in the costumes!

I just watched the movie in may then rewatched a bunch of Elvis old clips on YouTube then visited Graceland in September and kept having this feeling about how Austin’s suits were a little different. Just glad I wasn’t imagining it.

[miacrawford]

They did an incredible job.. I’m a huge Elvis fan and have seen all of these costumes up close and personal and she absolutely nailed it.

[waltymcnalty]

The costumes were brilliantly done. A part of me wonders why they didn’t have a shot in the gold lame suit. Its an iconic piece that worked with baz’s style. Who knows. It might be in the extended version

[IoannaGalanomati]

I love how technically specific she is when describing her process, it's so educating to listen to these details. What an amazing job, thank you for explaining it so thoroughly.

[riskriskmks]

I loved this. What an artist and architect she is.

[RadicalValkyrie]

"We created a chart with all of Elvis' jumpsuits...it was a very LONG chart." 😅
Pretty stoked this was made here on the Gold Coast. Cant wait to go check out the film this week.

[mollymcgregor]

The fact that Catherine does the production design too (I imagine with an amazing team behind her) is kind of boggling.