Hollywood And History Costumes

"An attractive and informed guide. It includes an extensively cross-referenced list of films on which leading couturiers worked, a superb collection of stills, and a brief history of costume on the screen." — George L. George, MillimeterThis handsome book, the first comprehensive reference work on costume design in films, is a remarkable tribute to the men and women who "dress" a film. Substantially revised and updated, it not only presents a splendid record of costume designers' contributions... [Read More]

Marilyn Monroe made history by standing over a subway grating in a white pleated halter dress designed by William Travilla. Hubert de Givenchy immortalized the Little Black Dress with a single opening scene in Breakfast at Tiffany's. A red nylon jacket signaled to audiences that James Dean was a Rebel Without a Cause. For more than a century, costume designers have left indelible impressions on moviegoers' minds. Yet until now, so little has been known about the designers themselves and their w... [Read More]

History as revealed and interpreted by Hollywood costume designers for motion pictures

From the lavish productions of Hollywood's Golden Age through the high-tech blockbusters of today, the most memorable movies all have one thing in common: they rely on the magical transformations rendered by the costume designer. Whether spectacular or subtle, elaborate or barely there, a movie costume must be more than merely a perfect fit. Each costume speaks a language all its own, communicating mood, personality, and setting, and propelling the action of the movie as much as a scripted line ... [Read More]

  Featuring the most beloved costume designs from the past 100 years of Hollywood films, Hollywood Costume celebrates, for the very first time, the costume designer’s contribution to the telling of the cinematic story. Published in conjunction with an exhibition launched at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London that the New York Times called “extraordinary,” the book showcases the talents of renowned designers such as Adrian, Edith Head, and Sandy Powell, among many others, whose work s... [Read More]

The year was 1896, the woman was Alice Guy-Blaché, and the film was The Cabbage Fairy. It was less than a minute long. Guy-Blaché, the first female director, made hundreds of movies during her career. Thousands of women with passion and commitment to storytelling followed in her footsteps. Working in all aspects of the movie industry, they collaborated with others to create memorable images on the screen. This book pays tribute to the spirit, ambition, grit and talent of these filmmakers and a... [Read More]

127 full bleed reproductions of photographs, 79 in full color, photographs by Keith Trumbo. Covers six decades of costume production in movies, including costumes once worn by and being worn by stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, Shirley Temple, Carole Lombard, Jean Harlowe, Claudette Colbert, Fred Astair, Bette Davis, Vivian Leigh, and many others.

Queen Elizabeth I was one of history's most fascinating, powerful and brilliant characters. England enjoyed a golden age during her long and turbulent reign. Her life has inspired many screen treatments, movies and television, and this book showcases the queen as portrayed Bette Davis, Cate Blanchett, Vanessa Redgrave, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren and Glenda Jackon. Costumes from many of the successful motion picture and television versions of the life and loves of the Virgin Queen including The Pri... [Read More]

Hollywood's Golden Age was graced with thousands of breathtaking looks by a designer who was known simply as Irene. Based on unprecedented access to the records and remembrances of Irene's personal artist, Virginia Fisher, this insider's look tells the story of Irene's years at MGM studios. Marvelously illustrated with more than 150 original sketches and photography from the time period, Irene's exhilarating story, filled with memories that have a cloying edge and are, at times, chilling, comes ... [Read More]