‘The Duchess’: Costumes

Don de plume

By Monica Corcoran, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

Early on in “The Duchess,” Keira Knightley as Georgiana Cavendish defends her show-stopping chapeaus as a critical means to express herself. Men use wit; women employ feathers. The new film follows the rise and sad stumble of the 18th century style pacesetter icon, and while many comparisons of her to Princess Diana will be made, the film really could be considered a prequel to “Sex and the City” — sans the Manolos, of course. “The character is young and innocent in the beginning, but her confidence builds,” says costume designer Michael O’Connor. “We showed that through her clothes and hats.” Meaning, the hats heightened along with her hubris. The film opens on Sept. 19.  (Nick Wall / Associated Press)