Designer Catherine Martin

Catherine Martin (born 26 January 1965) is an Australian costume designer, production designer, set designer, and film producer.

In a career spanning over three decades, she is recognized for her prolific work across stage and screen with her husband, Baz Luhrmann. These include their collaborations on such acclaimed films as Strictly Ballroom (1992), Romeo + Juliet (1996), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Australia (2008), The Great Gatsby (2013), and Elvis (2022). She has received numerous accolades, including four Academy Awards, six BAFTA Awards, and a Tony Award.

Catherine Martin
Designer Catherine Martin
Martin in 2013
Born (1965-01-26) 26 January 1965 (age 59)
Education
Occupations
Years active1988–present
Spouse
(m. 1997)
Children2
Websitecatherinemartin.com

Martin gained international recognition with her first major film credit alongside Luhrmann on his feature directorial debut, Strictly Ballroom, which later became the first part of the "Red Curtain Trilogy". For her exceptional work on the film's aesthetic, she earned two BAFTAs for Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, among other accolades. Martin received her first Oscar nomination for art direction in the second part of the trilogy, Romeo + Juliet. She then collected both the Academy Award for Best Costume Design and the Academy Award for Best Production Design for creating the visuals in Curtain's final installment, Moulin Rouge! Martin is the second woman to win multiple Oscars in a single year and the first to accomplish this feat more than once after winning the same categories for The Great Gatsby. Having won four awards out of nine nominations, she holds the record for the most Oscar wins of any Australian.

Early life and education

Designer Catherine Martin 
The National Institute of Dramatic Art in Kensington, New South Wales, where Martin studied

Martin was born on January 26, 1965, in Lindfield, New South Wales, to a French mother and an Australian father, both academics who met at the Sorbonne; her father was pursuing his expertise in 18th-century French literature, and her mother was studying mathematics at university. She and her brother grew up in Sydney but spent a lot of time with their grandparents in France's Loire Valley, visiting "every art gallery, every museum" along the way. Martin was fascinated from an early age by the vintage clothing parades occasionally thrown by her Australian grandmother and her church friends. She would beg her parents to take her to London's Victoria and Albert Museum so she could dig through the costume section, and recalled "being blown away by the costume gallery, being able to see a pleated lace ruff in reality" when she finally got there. Her mother taught her to use a sewing machine at age 6, and by age 15 she was creating her own patterns to make herself dresses. Martin cited The Wizard of Oz as her childhood inspiration and an extraordinary journey to take when she was 10, and then Gone with the Wind as the movie that, at age 13, changed her life from a fashion perspective.

Martin attended North Sydney Girls High School and, while a student, got a part-time job as an usherette at the Roseville theatre. She was first enrolled at Sydney College of the Arts and spent a year studying the visual arts before deciding to drop out for a career change. Then she studied pattern cutting at East Sydney Technical College. She was accepted into the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and graduated in 1988 with a diploma in design. In her last year at university, she met and started collaborating with a fellow student, Baz Luhrmann, whom she later married. At that time, Luhrmann returned to NIDA looking for young designers with whom he planned to stage his one-act play, Strictly Ballroom, and Martin did some work on that production.

Career

Martin's first professional engagement came after graduation when she began working on Luhrmann's environmental opera experiment, Lake Lost, staged at a television studio in Melbourne to celebrate the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. Their collaboration continued at Opera Australia when she provided set designs for Luhrmann's 1990 production of Giacomo Puccini's La bohème as well as the 1993 production of Benjamin Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Martin gained international acclaim when she entered the film industry, recreating her designs in Luhrmann's feature directorial debut, Strictly Ballroom (1992), the first part of the "Red Curtain Trilogy". It was a major financial success and received widespread acclaim from critics and audiences, who lauded the acting, direction, and production values. Among other accolades, the film cleaned up at the AFI Awards, picking up leading eight wins from 13 nominations and also winning three of its eight nominations at the BAFTAs, including both the Best Costume Design and the Best Production Design for Martin's visuals. She then received her first Oscar nomination for art direction in the trilogy's second installment, Romeo + Juliet (1996).

Their third feature film collaboration which concluded Curtain's Trilogy was Moulin Rouge! (2001). She earned both the Academy Award for Best Costume Design and the Academy Award for Best Production Design for her richly designed sets and dazzling costumes, which received widespread recognition from critics and audiences alike. She shared the former prize with Angus Strathie, the latter with Brigitte Broch (for the film's set decoration). Martin's double wins makes her just the second woman to win multiple Oscars in a single year, after fellow costume designer Edith Head.

For their next project together, the pair teamed up adaptating Luhrmann's earlier Australian production of La bohème for Broadway theatre, which opened to critical acclaim in December 2002. She won the Tony Award for Best Scenic Design and, alongside Strathie, was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Costume Design the following year.

Martin went to co-produce Luhrmann's epic Australia (2008) and was also the film's production and costume designer. It earned her another Oscar nomination. She has stated that the tailoring on the clothing produced for the film is one of her proudest achievements.

The Great Gatsby

Luhrmann and Martin started working on the cinematic reinvention of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic, The Great Gatsby, a novel that she had not read since adolescence and had not much appreciated as a teenager. Nevertheless, Martin ended up being the book's biggest fan after her husband's insistence that she revisit it. Luhrmann thought about doing a new film version for about a decade, although he began writing a script only three years before actual filming started. For their ambitious purpose of trying to achieve an authentic feeling for the film but also something connective for a modern audience, the pair consulted academic texts about the novel as well as historical analyses pertaining to both Fitzgerald and his work. In particular, they went to libraries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Fashion Institute of Technology to further their research on the project. Martin described herself during this time as being "like a detective".

Overall, Martin was charged with creating about 500 outfits for various cast members. She collaborated with Brooks Brothers and Miuccia Prada to design the costumes, as well as Tiffany & Co., which agreed to supply the film's jewelry. In particular, Prada created some twenty dresses for the film's first party scene as well as an additional twenty for the second one. Before filming started, Luhrmann said that since the book took place in 1922 and was published in 1925 but foreshadowed the economic crash of 1929, anything within that decade was appropriate to borrow for design purposes. This approach gives Martin more room to play with trends and flattering pieces, such as her choice to dress lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio in slimmer-cut suits, a decision that otherwise would not be typical for the time period in which the depicted events are taking place. Furthermore, she erred towards the decade's end for women's clothes, wanting to focus on slimmer silhouettes. She also took artistic liberties when it came to the actresses' footwear, telling Vogue that she found heels from the era to be "stumpy". Martin rationalized her anachronistic use of thinner-heeled shoes by telling herself she was copying what was found in fashion illustrations from the time.

Martin created a total of 42 lavish sets for the film, which all were constructed under her vision in a span of 14 weeks. Her inspiration came from the works of 1920s British designer Syrie Maugham as well as the iconic turn-of-the-century houses on Long Island, such as Beacon Towers for Gatsby's mansion and Old Westbury Gardens for the Buchanans' estate. She also gave credit to the 1920s silent film designs, particularly those of Sunrise (1927) and Speedy (1928), for inspiring Gatsby's high-gloss Art Deco visual style.

Martin once again received universal acclaim for creating film's visuals, winning her two more Oscars for both Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, the latter of which she shares with Beverley Dunn. Having won her fourth career Academy Award, she claimed the record for the most Oscar wins of any Australian, overtaking fellow costume designer Orry-Kelly, who won three in the 1950s.

Shortly after the release of Gatsby, Martin collaborated with Brooks Brothers to release a limited edition menswear collection. She has also launched a range of home wares, featuring paints, wallpaper and rugs.

Other work

Martin was named a Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year in 2013. Discussing her and Luhrmann's progression as artists, Marin told the magazine, "We've gone from me staying up all night to paint the floor to where I am now, with 300 carpenters working for me. I feel like the Queen of England [sic]". For her spread in their December issue, her husband photographed her alongside their children.

Martin's work was featured in fellow costume designer Deborah Nadoolman Landis' 2013 book Hollywood Costume.

Martin has stated that she prides herself on ensuring the costumes she produces are beautifully made, comfortable, and easy to take on and off. She also said that she is no longer tempted to keep any wardrobe mementos from the films she works on, telling Fashionista, "... I realised through long and hard experience the best record of your work, is the work itself."

In 2016, Martin and Luhrmann developed the Netflix television series The Get Down, which takes place in 1970s South Bronx. She served as an executive producer of the series.

Personal life

Martin met her husband, Baz Luhrmann, at university, and the pair married on Australia Day 1997, her 32nd birthday. The couple has two children together. In July 2015, the couple placed their Darlinghurst mansion on the market for $16 million AUD, in favour of establishing a more settled family life in New York City, where their family has been spending more and more time.

Filmography

Film

List of Catherine Martin film credits
Year Title Director Credited as Notes
Costume Designer Production Designer Producer
1988 Interim Jean-Pierre Améris No Yes No Short film
1989 Out of the Body Brian Trenchard-Smith Yes No No
1992 Strictly Ballroom Baz Luhrmann Yes Yes No Co-designed costumes with Angus Strathie
Martin designed street costumes, whereas Strathie designed ballroom attire
1996 Romeo + Juliet No Yes Yes Associate producer
2001 Moulin Rouge! Yes Yes Yes Associate producer
Co-designed costumes with Angus Strathie
2004 No. 5 the Film No Yes No Short film
2008 Australia Yes Yes Yes Co-producer
2012 Waist Up/Waist Down Yes Yes No Short film
Ugly Chic Yes No No
The Surreal Body Yes No No
The Exotic Body Yes Yes No
The Classical Body Yes Yes No
Schiaparelli & Prada: Impossible Conversations Yes Yes No
Naif Chic Yes Yes No
Hard Chic Yes Yes No
2013 The Great Gatsby Yes Yes Yes Co-designed sets with Karen Murphy as associate production designer
2014 Channel No. 5: The One That I Want No Yes No Short film
2017 ERDEM x H&M: The Secret Life of Flowers No Yes Yes
2022 Elvis Yes Yes Yes Co-designed sets with Karen Murphy

Television

List of Catherine Martin television credits
Year Title Contribution Notes
Costume Designer Production Designer Producer
1994 Great Performances Yes Yes No Episode: "La boheme"
Co-designed costumes with Angus Strathie
2016–2017 The Get Down Yes Yes Yes Executive producer
Co-costume designer and co-production designer (Episode: "Where There Is Ruin, There Is Hope for a Treasure")
Co-designed costumes with Jeriana San Juan
Co-designed sets with Karen Murphy

Awards and nominations

Major associations

Academy Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
1996 Best Production Design Romeo + Juliet Nominated
2001 Best Costume Design Moulin Rouge! Won
Best Production Design Won
2008 Best Costume Design Australia Nominated
2013 The Great Gatsby Won
Best Production Design Won
2022 Best Picture Elvis Nominated
Best Costume Design Nominated
Best Production Design Nominated

BAFTA Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
British Academy Film Awards
1992 Best Costume Design Strictly Ballroom Won
Best Production Design Won
1997 Romeo + Juliet Won
2001 Best Costume Design Moulin Rouge! Nominated
Best Production Design Nominated
2013 Best Costume Design The Great Gatsby Won
Best Production Design Won
2022 Best Film Elvis Nominated
Best Costume Design Won
Best Production Design Nominated

Tony Awards

Year Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2003 Best Costume Design La bohème Nominated
Best Scenic Design Won

Miscellaneous awards

List of Catherine Martin other awards and nominations
Award Year Category Title Result
AACTA Awards
(AFI Awards)
1992 Best Production Design Strictly Ballroom Won
2001 Best Costume Design Moulin Rouge! Won
Best Production Design Won
2009 Best Costume Design Australia Won
Best Production Design Won
2013 Best Film The Great Gatsby Won
Best Costume Design Won
Best Production Design Won
2022 Best Film Elvis Won
Best Costume Design Won
Best Production Design Won
ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards 2001 Excellence in Period or Fantasy Film Moulin Rouge! Won
2013 Excellence in Period Film The Great Gatsby Won
2022 Elvis Nominated
Capri Hollywood International Film Festival 2022 Best Producer Award Elvis Won
Best Costume Design Won
Best Production Design Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2013 Best Art Direction/Production Design The Great Gatsby Nominated
Costume Designers Guild Awards 2013 Excellence in Period Film The Great Gatsby Nominated
2022 Elvis Won
Critics' Choice Movie Awards 2013 Best Costume Design The Great Gatsby Won
Best Production Design Won
2022 Best Costume Design Elvis Nominated
Best Production Design Nominated
Drama Desk Awards 2003 Outstanding Costume Design La bohème Nominated
Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical Won
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards 2008 Best Film Australia Nominated
2013 The Great Gatsby Nominated
Best Production Design Won
2022 Best Film Elvis Nominated
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 2013 Best Art Direction/Production Design The Great Gatsby Won
2022 Elvis Nominated
Georgia Film Critics Association Awards 2022 Best Production Design Elvis Nominated
Helpmann Awards 2014 Best Costume Design Strictly Ballroom The Musical Nominated
Hollywood Creative Alliance
(Astra Film Creative Arts Awards)
2022 Best Costume Design Elvis Nominated
Best Production Design Nominated
Hollywood Music in Media Awards 2022 Best Music Themed Film, Biopic, or Musical Elvis Nominated
Inside Film Awards 2009 Best Production Design Australia Nominated
International Cinephile Society Awards 2008 Best Production Design Australia Nominated
2013 The Great Gatsby Nominated
London Film Critics' Circle Awards 2022 Technical Achievement of the Year Elvis Nominated
(Costumes)
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards 2001 Best Production Design Moulin Rouge! Won
Online Film Critics Society Awards 2022 Best Costume Design Elvis Nominated
Best Production Design Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Awards 2003 Outstanding Costume Design La bohème Nominated
Outstanding Set Design Won
Producers Guild of America Awards 2022 Best Theatrical Motion Picture Elvis Nominated
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards 2001 Best Production Design Moulin Rouge! Won
2013 The Great Gatsby Won
2022 Best Costume Design Elvis Won
Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2022 Variety Artisans Award Elvis Won
(Costume Design)
Satellite Awards 1996 Best Art Direction & Production Design Romeo + Juliet Won
2001 Moulin Rouge! Won
Best Costume Design Won
2008 Best Art Direction & Production Design Australia Won
Best Costume Design Nominated
2013 Best Art Direction & Production Design The Great Gatsby Won
Best Costume Design Nominated
2022 Best Art Direction & Production Design Elvis Nominated
Best Costume Design Nominated
Saturn Awards 2001 Best Costume Design Moulin Rouge! Nominated
2008 Australia Nominated
Seattle Film Critics Society Awards 2022 Best Costume Design Elvis Won
Best Production Design Nominated
Set Decorators Society of America Awards 2022 Best Achievement in Decor/Design of a Period Feature Film Elvis Won
St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards 2013 Best Production Design The Great Gatsby Won
2022 Best Costume Design Elvis Won
Best Production Design Won
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2013 Best Art Direction The Great Gatsby Won
2022 Elvis Nominated

Honorary accolades

Organization Year Category Result
Art Directors Guild 2022 Cinematic Imagery Award Received
Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts 2022 Longford Lyell Award Received
Australian Film Institute 1999 Byron Kennedy Award Received
Gold Coast Film Festival 2023 Chauvel Award Received

References

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