“What a costume designer does is a cross between magic and camouflage.” Edith Head

From left to right – Model, Orry Kelly, Bernard Newman, Travis Banton, Edith Head, Adrian, and Irene.

With model showing evening gown, 1955:

Edith at bat 1957:

A fashion show from the “Think Pink” sequence at the premiere of “Funny Face” – model Ginni Adams with Edith Head:

Dressing Debbie Reynolds for a benefit, 1960:

Hosting a charity event at her home, Casa Ladera, 1967:

With Tony Curtis, Anne Baxter and Omar Shariff, 1967:

At the Costume Designers Ball with Greer Garson, 1969:

edith-head-greer-garson-1969-costume-designers-guild-ball

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35 Comments

  1. August 29, 2012

    For a person rubbing shoulders with the stars, and living what was no doubt a glamorous existence, she looks distinctly unimpressed! 🙂

    • August 29, 2012

      That’s the weird thing about working on movies (for the 100+ people who work on set) — it’s not really glamorous. When you’re working on a project it obliterates the rest of your life. There’s actually a period of time when you’re done with a film that you have to come off the rush and readjust to regular hours and meaningful relationships. Some people thrive on it — and some people leave the biz.

      • Heather in Arles
        October 28, 2013

        I love, love, love this post and all of the amazing comments plus your fantastic comments. Ms V, you run a tight ship!

  2. August 29, 2012

    Great pictures. I love Edith!!

  3. August 29, 2012

    So, Edith Head was the inspiration for superhero costume designer Edna Mode in The Incredibles. I had no idea until I saw this post and then it was immediately clear. In fact, now that I think about it, I’ve never seen a photo of Edith Head until today. But I sure remember her name in all those movie credits. An incredible career.

    • August 29, 2012

      Yes! Wasn’t Edna Mode fabulous? I saw a letter she wrote once to nominees of the Academy Awards and she basically told people what was, and was not acceptable attire, no mini-skirts, Nehru jackets, etc. I suspect Edith was fabulous, too.

      • August 29, 2012

        Ah, I saw a letter Edith Head wrote… Sorry about that.

    • September 29, 2012

      I would be delighted! November at the Pasadena Playhouse, or December in Costa Mesa. Saw your performance video (thanks for the link) and I can’t wait 🙂

      • September 29, 2012

        Excellent – Let me know when you would like to come. Our press agent is Judi Davidson and she can arrange complimentary tickets. I look forward to meeting you! Suz

  4. October 23, 2012

    Where do you get your photos? They’re jolly good.

    • October 23, 2012

      Thank you – I live in LA so the photos are easy to access 🙂

  5. November 9, 2012

    I’m amazed at the photo with Anne Baxter and Omar Sharif (one f, not two). She is totally infatuated with him, and he looks like he’s falling in love, too.

    • November 9, 2012

      I wonder what the story was there… I have a friend who invited Anne Baxter over for dinner when he was a young film student in the eighties — and she came and told wonderful stories all night! One of these days I’ll get him to tell us about it.

  6. February 20, 2013

    That evening gown on the model in that second photo is stunning. I love Edith Head’s design sense. She really worked with how the actresses were built instead of trying to turn them into something they weren’t.

      • February 20, 2013

        Hello Susan! Could you, by any chance, be performing in Denver soon? A blogging friend of mine has tickets 🙂

    • February 20, 2013

      It’s astonishing how many iconic looks she created… for Veronica Lake, Barbara Stanwyck, Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood. And, now that I’m getting older I come to appreciate one of the best looks she devised – which was for herself! (Yes, I just bought a pair of round tortoise shell eyeglasses – but, can’t decide yet if I look more like Edith, or Harry Potter.)

  7. February 20, 2013

    I am. On March 3 in a benefit for Women and Film Festival!

  8. George Kaplan
    February 20, 2013

    Vickie – Amazing, Amazing, Amazing! – and I love the comments too.
    Edith Head was a genius. She knew how to elevate women to an a higher goddesshood without anything strained or uncomfortable. As already mentioned – that second photo Holy Mary Mother of God! Astonishing! The beauty of dress and model is made all the better by Edith’s almost disdainful presence “Tch, *of course* it’s great. You’re boring me, Shlomo”.
    Please get your friend to tell the Anne Baxter storie. Pretty please? I *love* Anne Baxter, she’s great!

    • February 21, 2013

      I certainly will, it’s a charming story and I need him to write it to do it proper justice!

    • Heather in Arles
      October 28, 2013

      Mr. K is here!!! *popping champagne*

  9. February 20, 2013

    Had the chance to see an exhibit featuring several of Edith’s designs from Paramount. Absolutely fabulous!

    • February 21, 2013

      I read in a biography an account of her sending her department to collect peacock feathers from Cecil B. De Mille’s ranch to make a cloak for a bible epic (at the director’s insistence) – and she grumbled about it mightily – but in the end she was always there for her directors.

  10. February 21, 2013

    I adore Edith Head and was excited to see these great photos you’ve posted. I love the one of Edith at bat!

    • February 21, 2013

      She always has the same gloomy/pensive expression in the most dynamic situations – I love it!

  11. Karen Hytten
    April 7, 2013

    I had the most excellent experience to work for Edith Head. She was so nice and she inspired me.

    • Heather in Arles
      October 28, 2013

      *speechless*

  12. October 28, 2013

    Dearest V
    The Dandy adores most everything about Edith Head (who could not), but most of all her own personal appearance.
    It says so much by apparently doing so very little.
    Genius.
    Yours ever
    The Perfumed Dandy

      • November 2, 2013

        Next time you’re in town! xox, V

      • November 3, 2013

        I would love that!

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