ICONS ONLY: Penny Lane & The Fashion Of The Almost Famous Cast

Neal Preston

Almost Famous, (2000)

Directed by Cameron Crowe
Art Direction by Kate Altman
Costume Design by Betsy Heimann

Almost Famous, is a film that really needs no introduction, it's a cult classic that’s shaped many of our wardrobes and ideals around a life we'd love to get lost in. In the realm of cinematic fashion, few designers possess the prowess and vision of Betsy Heimann. Renowned for her iconic contributions to films like "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction," Heimann's unwavering style is amplified in "Almost Famous" (2000), a semi-autobiographical masterpiece by director Cameron Crowe.

Set against the backdrop of the 1970s rock scene, "Almost Famous" follows the journey of William, a young naive journalist, as he embarks on a transformative odyssey with the band Stillwater and their entourage of groupies, led by the undeniably iconique Penny Lane. Drawing inspiration from rock photographer Joel Bernstein's images of the 1973 Time Fades Away tour, Heimann infuses each character's wardrobe with depth and personality. As Heimann herself recalls, "The entire movie was a labour of love for me and I loved every single person on that movie and every single outfit." In crafting Penny Lane's iconic fur-lined coat, Heimann reveals, "I felt like she was so vulnerable on the inside and so strong on the outside, that this coat was her armour."

Echoing the era's burgeoning thrift store aesthetic, Heimann channels the spirit of Bianca Jagger, as she explains, "In that time period, and I think Bianca Jagger kind of started it, it was the beginning of thrift shopping." Her designs, from vintage-inspired dresses to flamboyant lace ponchos, capture the essence of 1970s fashion with unparalleled flair and authenticity.