«Вампиры», «мстители» и «женщины-кошки»: облегающие комбинезоны в истории кинокостюмов как символ вневременности

Теория моды: одежда, тело, культура. 2025. № 3(77). С. 321–340.

Bakina T.

Today’s audiences may tend to associate the black catsuit with superheroes and action movies, yet this iconic item has a far longer history, going back to the early twentieth century. The tight one-piece was first used in cinema to create an atmosphere of mystery, ambiguity and sexuality. It gradually became part of the screen image of the vamp: a confident, attractive and dangerous woman. Much later, the catsuit evolved into “fighting camouflage” for female characters in action and superhero movies. The materials, style, tailoring and function of the suit changed over time, yet its association with power and danger remained the same for many decades. In this paper, Bakina follows the evolution of the female catsuit’s functions throughout the history of cinema. The author looks not only at the changes in design and other aspects which have allowed the catsuit to remain a powerful image, popular with audiences for over a century. Bakina also highlights the curious fact that as an item of clothing, the catsuit always succeeded in retaining its status beyond fashion trends due to its particular features and functions.

Keywords: история кино, film costume, fashion and film, мода и кинематограф, film history, костюмы в кино, catsuits, Irma Vep, Emma Peel, Catwoman, кэтсьюты, облегающие комбинезоны, Ирма Веп, Эмма Пил, Женщина-кошка