Dressing Indiana Jones: The woman behind the fedora

Deborah Nadoolman Landis seemed destined for creativity, having inherited the quick wit and busy hands of her family's matriarchs. Growing up in New York City, she learned to knit from her grandmother and took part in her mother's plays for children. From an early age, Deborah discovered that everything from towels to sheets and even mop heads could have a purpose in costume design.

After moving to California to study costume design in 1973, she met her soon-to-be husband, director John Landis. Their shared love of film - and sense of humour - led to celebrated comedy collaborations such as Kentucky Fried Movie, National Lampoon's Animal House, and The Blues Brothers. While John made movie magic, Deborah was the visionary behind the clothing for each character.

When Steven Spielberg fell in love with their film Animal House, he headhunted Deborah to become his first ever costume designer. They began work on the war comedy, 1941. It was a huge box office flop, but their low-budget follow-up - featuring a fedora-wearing, whip-wielding archaeologist named Indiana Jones - became a blockbuster hit. By creating Harrison Ford's iconic outfit, as well as Michael Jackson's Thriller jacket and many other unforgettable on-screen looks, Deborah helped define 1980s Hollywood film and pop culture.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar

Producer: Tommy Dixon

Clips: Raiders of the Lost Ark / Paramount, Lucas Films / Steven Spielberg; Thriller / Optimum Productions / John Landis; National Lampoon's Animal House / Universal Pictures / John Landis; Coming to America / Paramount, Eddie Murphy Productions / John Landis.

Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707

(Photo: Deborah Nadoolman Landis posing to the right of Indiana Jones costume. Credit: Getty Images)