Arts & Culture

First Look: The Biltmore’s Latest Fashion Exhibit

A new exhibition at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, “Designed for Drama: Fashion from the Classics,” pays tribute to George Vanderbilt’s love of literature by presenting a selection of his favorite tomes alongside more than forty costumes from their screen adaptions. Scroll through for an exclusive look at a selection of items in the exhibit.

February 9, 2010

View as Slideshow

Costumes from 1999’s Sleepy Hollow in the tapestry gallery.

1 of 11

Costumes from 1999’s Sleepy Hollow in the tapestry gallery.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Johnny Depp’s Ichabod Crane and Michael Gambon’s Baltus Van Tassel outfits from 1999’s Sleepy Hollow stand in the tapestry gallery.

2 of 11

Johnny Depp’s Ichabod Crane and Michael Gambon’s Baltus Van Tassel outfits from 1999’s Sleepy Hollow stand in the tapestry gallery.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Dresses Gillian Anderson wore in 2000’s The House of Mirth are displayed in Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom.

3 of 11

Dresses Gillian Anderson wore in 2000’s The House of Mirth are displayed in Mrs. Vanderbilt’s bedroom.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Costumes from Finding Neverland as worn by (left to right): Johnny Depp, Radha Mitchell, and Dustin Hoffman stand in the banquet hall.

4 of 11

Costumes from Finding Neverland as worn by (left to right): Johnny Depp, Radha Mitchell, and Dustin Hoffman stand in the banquet hall.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

A heavily beaded and sequined gown worn by Nicole Kidman in The Portrait of a Lady stands in the second floor living hall.

5 of 11

A heavily beaded and sequined gown worn by Nicole Kidman in The Portrait of a Lady stands in the second floor living hall.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Uma Thurman’s peacock gown from 2000’s The Golden Bowl unfurls in the salon.

6 of 11

Uma Thurman’s peacock gown from 2000’s The Golden Bowl unfurls in the salon.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Uma Thurman and Kate Beckinsale’s The Golden Bowl costumes in the salon.

7 of 11

Uma Thurman and Kate Beckinsale’s The Golden Bowl costumes in the salon.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Alicia Vikander, Olivia Williams, and Keira Knightley’s wardrobe from Anna Karenina fill the second floor living hall.

8 of 11

Alicia Vikander, Olivia Williams, and Keira Knightley’s wardrobe from Anna Karenina fill the second floor living hall.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Behind-the-scenes staging areas hold costumes before the exhibition setup.

9 of 11

Behind-the-scenes staging areas hold costumes before the exhibition setup.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Behind-the-scenes staging areas hold costumes before the exhibition setup.

10 of 11

Behind-the-scenes staging areas hold costumes before the exhibition setup.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

Behind-the-scenes staging areas hold costumes before the exhibition setup.

11 of 11

Behind-the-scenes staging areas hold costumes before the exhibition setup.

Photo: Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate

A cover with Nate Bargatze

Subscribe today and save.

Get a Subscription Give a Gift Manage Your Subscription