Costume Critique: Maleficent

Growing up, the whole "princess scene" was never really my thing. I felt as though every Princess' character was flat; lacking both depth and dimension, and it bothered me that they were often the victim instead of the heroine. Upon coming home from my mission, I had the privilege of watching Maleficent with my little sister, and I was so impressed! It was refreshing to see a classic tale from both sides and to gain greater understanding of each character and what experiences led them to who they are.
In the movie, Maleficent is a fairy with great strength and the ability to both love and lead. But unfortunately, her tender heart places trust in a greed stricken man, and she in a sense loses her identity after he betrays her and cuts off her wings. It is in this moment that we see her character shift as she literally builds walls to shut people out, and becomes sinister in her attempt to cope and obtain justice.
I absolutely loved all the costuming in this film. The project design was spearheaded by Anna B. Sheppard, however Rob Goodwin, Manuel Albarran, and Justin Smith also played a large role in the development of Maleficent's character through wardrobe. While the  movie was set in a very Medeival time, Maleficent's costumes were each given a modern edge and incorporated a lot of metal, animal skins and even animal bones. I loved the varying textures and the exaggerated structure that gave Maleficent a powerful demeanor but didn't overshadow her beauty. It's obvious in the film that although much of her behavior is that of a villian, it's not true or natural to her character- but more that she is hurting and in need of healing.
I think my favorite costume is in the final battle scene where Maleficent dons this edgy leather bodysuit. It was very catwomanesque, and in comparison to the King who was covered head to toe in armor, her costume allowed her to move freely and with precision. Everything was black, with the only colored accent being her red lipstick, and she looked fierce. Angelina Jolie truly was the perfect person to play this role, and her strength as an individual was only enhanced by her portrayal of Maleficent and each meticulously crafted costume.