Photo © Paramount
Last week, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the preview of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer, an exhibition featuring 70 pieces designed by famed costume designer from Paramount (and later Universal) Edith Head. Randall Thropp, the costume archivist at Paramount was also kind enough to speak to those who were there about Edith and her life, giving us additional context about the exhibition.
Photo © Katie S.
Head’s career began in the 1920s when she landed a job as a costume sketch artist at Paramount Pictures; though her portfolio may not have been completely honest, Head later admitted that she had borrowed the artwork of many of her classmates from her art class, giving her a “range” that appeared incredible in a single portfolio. Despite this, Head managed to succeed not only in her career, but in an industry that was – at the time – heavily dominated by men.
Photo © Katie S.
Head had a distinctive fashion style—round-tinted sunglasses that allowed her to see what a costume would look like in black and white, as well as an unassuming wardrobe that would not outshine any of the stars she was outfitting.
Photo © Paramount
Head worked with many stars, including Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, and Barbara Stanwyck, with several actresses occasionally asking for Edith to be loaned out for their use when they worked with other studios.
Throughout her career, Head received numerous accolades for her contributions to costume design, including eight Academy Awards, several of which were on display at the exhibit. Her wins were for The Heiress, All About Eve, A Place in the Sun, Samson and Delilah, Roman Holiday, Sabrina, The Facts of Life, and The Sting.
The exhibit did a great job of either showcasing costumes alongside a photo of the star in the costume or with Edith herself alongside the actor in question.
Photo © Katie S.
This fabulous piece was worn by Betty Hutton in Here Come the Waves. Hutton mainly appeared in musicals, and was one of Paramount’s most valuable stars.
Photo © Katie S.
This beautifully detailed gown was worn by Arlene Dahl as Irene Bailey in the film Here Come the Girls. I’ve not seen the film, have you? If so, drop us a comment below!
Photo © Katie S.
Many of Head’s most famous pieces were worn by Grace Kelly, and of all of the actresses Head worked with over the years, she is quoted as saying “If I had to pick a favorite actress, it would be Grace Kelly.” The simple, but elegant black gown above was worn by Kelly in Rear Window.
Photo © Katie S.
This costume was worn by Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face, and the exhibit made no qualms about Head’s controversy with fashion designer Givenchy. Audrey wore Givenchy in Sabrina, which won the Academy Award for best costume design – with Edith Head taking the credit. For Funny Face, both Head and Givenchy shared the credit, though they did not win an Oscar.
Photo © Katie S.
One of Kim Novak’s costumes from Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo. The visual look of the film was important to Hitchcock – more so than the actual story itself. Edith and Hitchcock collaborated together on eleven films over the course of their careers!
Photo © Katie S.
This white beaded gown was worn by Carroll Baker as Jean Harlow in the biopic Harlow.
Photo © Katie S.
This costume is one of the many Head created for the female leads for Cecil B. DeMille’s 1956 film The Ten Commandments – a remake of a silent version DeMille had made back in 1923!
Photo © Katie S.
This gown was worn by the wonderful Angela Lansbury in the hilarious film The Court Jester. If you’ve not seen it, you’re missing out!
Photo © Katie S.
This purple costume was worn by Joan Caulfield as Jane Stanton in The Sainted Sisters.
Photo © Katie S.
This beautiful green ensemble was worn by Barbara Stanwyck in The Furies. I feel like I’ve seen this dress in something else, but I am probably thinking about this fur lined costume – also from The Furies.
Photo © Katie S.
This red gown from The Heiress, worn by Olivia De Havilland may have been my favorite piece in the exhibit. Head really strived for historical accuracy with the costumes in this film.
But this is Recycled Movie Costumes, and you presumably came here for, well…recycled costumes. I was really pleased to find that the exhibit was great about mentioning that costumes often went on to be reused later in other films and even noted some examples! Here are several pieces that were exhibited that have been used again over the years.
Photo © Katie S.
Barbara Stanwyck wore this fabulous two-piece outfit designed by Head for The Lady Eve. The piece was ultimately used again for a promotional photo, where it was worn by Lizbeth Scott.
Photo © Katie S.
This beaded dance costume, first worn by Juliet Prowse in G.I. Blues, went on to be worn again in The Grissom Gang. You can find more photos of this costume on its individual costume page here.
Photo © Katie S.
Finally, this incredible sequined piece, worn by Arlene Dahl in Here Come the Girls, was seen again twice! First in The Carpetbaggers and later even in an episode of Bonanza! For more photos and information, please visit the dedicated page for this costume.
There are many more costumes showcased in the exhibit, but you’ll have to visit yourself and see them in person! The exhibit runs through September 29th, 2024. You can find out more info by visiting the website for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art!
Want to see more reused costumes designed by Edith Head? Check out this page with many more of her brilliant designs!
Have you seen this exhibit? If so, tell us what you thought in the comments below!
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