Catherine Martin has quite an impressive repertoire within Hollywood and is multi-talented asset to the industry. This is especially evident in her work on Elvis, directed by her husband, Baz Lurhmann. In addition to replicating authentic outfits the King wore in life and creating new ones from scratch as the film’s costume designer, she is also credited as the production designer and producer. In total, Martin made 9,000 costumes for the film.
In recounting how she came to have such varied interests within the arts, Martin tells Variety that she credits her father’s analysis regarding The Wizard of Oz‘s transition from sepia to color, which showed Dorothy’s arrival in Oz. The understanding and appreciation for such a technical trick began lifelong desires to learn and make. Martin then discusses how her mother encouraged these desires at age six: “I loved the act of making things because you could have an idea, and then out of nothing, you could make something. I was always into crafts, candlemaking, painting, and art. I just loved it, and that’s what I wanted to do.”
She then further discusses her professional philosophy: “If you’re not saying, ‘Well, I don’t really have quite enough of that. Or I really need to do better here,’ then I don’t think you’re trying hard enough. I think it’s that desire to romantically elevate whatever you’re doing to make it just a little bit better than what is possible.” From this statement, one can appreciate Martin’s work ethic that leads to the fantastical and whimsical pieces that are seen in Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rouge!, and Romeo + Juliet. Her drive to “romantically elevate” everything she comes into contact with assures the viewer that all her work is done with care, intention, and ambition to create beauty that fits the story.
To further this topic, in touching on her ability to marry her costume and production designer roles, Martin states, “I hope that there is a synergy between the support of the costume and the support of the set to find the story that they want to tell. To me, they are working in constant concert.”
This year, Martin has already been nominated for three Academy Awards for her work on Elvis. Her notable works include The Great Gatsby, Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, and Australia.
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