Old Hollywood Glamour: June 2007

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Edith Head Fashion Show

Last month I was asked to do makeup for an Edith Head fashion show that was part of the LA Conservancy's Last Remaining Seats Film Series. Edith Head was one of the most talented, well known and influential designers of Hollywood's Golden Era and was responsible for creating glamorous and decadent costumes. The film partnered with the fashion show was Roman Holiday (1953) in which she won her fifth of eight Academy Awards. This was held at the gorgeous Los Angeles Theatre where collector Greg Schreiner of Hollywood Revisited was gracious enough to showcase a few of his Hollywood treasures~ some of Edith's most memorable designs. I must tell you that when I saw the gowns prior to the show, I almost died! They are spectacular!! It's one thing to see them on screen, but another to see them in person, up close. I didn't dare touch them except for the Bette Davis dress worn in All About Eve (1950). The colors, fabrics and workmanship are impeccable. If you ever get a chance to attend one of Greg's reviews, it's a must for the costumes alone! He states that we "will never see an era like this again" and that's why it's so important to bring these costumes back to life for all to enjoy once more.

There were 11 models but because most of them are professional retro and pinup models and dolled themselves up, I was only able to get my hands on Karie, Joya and Mather. Every single one of the ladies were lovely and charming~ Ginger, Mather, Sherri, Jessica, Marsha, Angelique, Karie, Sharlene, Joya, Anna Marie and Heidi. Maxwell DeMille produced the show and did an amazing job, Christine Hensley did a fabulous job on hair and Greg Schreiner was the Master of Ceremonies who was dressed in Bob Hope's gold mariachi costume from Here Come the Girls (1953). Brilliant! Thanks to all of you!

First picture left to right:
Sharlene in Debbie Reynold's gown from Pleasure of His Company (1961)
Ginger in Bette Davis' gown from All About Eve (1950)
Karie in Joanne Woodward's gown from New Kind of Love (1963)
Marsha in Jane Wyman's gown from Lucy Gallant (1955)
Maxwell DeMille
Angelique in Hedy Lamarr's gown from My Favorite Spy (1951)
Jessica in Ginger Rogers' gown from Lady in the Dark (1944)
Heidi in Shirley MacLaine's gown from What a Way to Go (1964)
Mather in Jill Clayburgh's gown from Gable & Lombard (1976)
Joya in Kim Novak's gown from Vertigo (1958)
Missing from the first picture:
Greg in Bob Hope's costume from Here Come the Girls (1953)
Sherri in Jill Clayburgh's gown from Gable & Lombard (1976) (red dress)
Anna Marie in Shirley MacLaine's gown from What a Way to Go (1964) (yellow & blue dress)