olivethomas:Significant Women in Film History: 1950sEdith Head (1897-1981) As much of a fashion
olivethomas: Significant Women in Film History: 1950s Edith Head (1897-1981) As much of a fashion icon as she is a film icon, Edith Head would be the designer of some of Hollywood’s most memorable costumes. Her designs would set off fashion trends around the world after appearing in merely one film. Chances are if a dress is iconic, Head probably designed it. Edith Head was born in San Bernadine California to Jewish immigrant parents and spent much of her childhood traveling as her stepfather often acquired jobs in different places. She would attend Berkeley and receive a Bachelor of Arts in 1919. A year later, Head would have a masters in the romance languages from Stanford. She would use these degrees to acquire a job as a French teacher at the Hollywood School for Girls. But by 1923 Head had left the teaching profession behind and was able to secure a job as a sketch artist at Paramount. Head did well in this position, moving up in the studio and by 1938 was named Paramount’s Chief Designer. She would stay at Paramount for 43 years. During her career Head would be nominated for 34 Academy Awards, winning eight (making the woman with most Academy wins). Head originally struggled to move past male designers within the studio but with her design for Dorothy Malone’s dress in The Hurricane (1937), Head became a household name. Head was rare in the fact that she preferred to work closely with the actresses she designed for and was so popular among these actresses that her studio would often loan her out to others at their request. Head was also popular among filmmakers for her ability to design both extravagant and simple designs, something that her peers were often unable to do. Many of Head’s designs set off trends worldwide; after Elizabeth Taylor appeared in Head’s design for a white gown In A Place in the Sun (1951) stores worldwide were quickly stocking their own copycat design of the dress. Head would continue working until her death in 1981. Head’s designs are still prevalent in the pop culture and fashion today. Her designs not only dressed but helped create an image of Hollywoods biggest stars. Many actresses such as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, who are known for their classy and chic fashion sense, were dressed by Head. Head’s designs helped add to the magic that is Hollywood, giving viewers a world where their favorite actresses could not only help their partner solve a crime but could also look beautiful while doing it. A link to costumes Head Designed Read A biography in Edith Head How to Dress for Sucess by Edith Head -- source link