By Kristen Pignuolo, Curatorial Assistant
With the opening of our summer exhibition Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer on June 22, some people might be wondering, “who is Edith Head?” Unless you’re a classic Hollywood film buff, you might not be familiar with her or her work.
Edith Head (1897-1981) was a costume designer whose career spanned over fifty years at both Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios. Starting at Paramount in 1924, Head worked on hundreds of films, and her work garnered thirty-five Oscar nominations and eight Oscar wins (a record for the Costume Design category and for women in any category). Head not only worked with famous actresses like Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, but also renowned film directors such as Alfred Hitchcock and Cecil B. DeMille.
One of the things that made Head’s approach to costume design noteworthy was that she didn’t just pay attention to a film’s script when designing costumes. Head also factored in the unique needs of each actress she worked with, consulting extensively with them to create a costume that would fit them and aid in the development of their character. This individual attention led to close working relationships and friendships with many actresses, including Grace Kelly and Barbara Stanwyck; Stanwyck even said she had Head’s name written into every contract as her costume designer, regardless of the studio.
Head became a recognizable celebrity in her own right, due in part to her unique style and direct personality. While she did wear bright colors and patterns in her personal life, at work, she typically wore skirt suits in muted colors like beige or gray that wouldn’t distract during costume fittings. Her professional wardrobe, along with her round, tinted glasses and blunt bangs, gave Head a trademark look that made her instantly recognizable.
Part of Head’s fame also came from her own media savvy. She made a name for herself outside of the film studio, appearing on television and radio shows to discuss fashion and upcoming trends. Additionally, Head wrote two best-selling books, How to Dress for Success and The Dress Doctor, along with many columns on fashion in various newspapers and magazines, cementing her place as a top authority on fashion and style in the United States.
This blog just skims the surface of what made Edith Head such a celebrated costume designer. Make sure to visit Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer to learn how she helped define the timeless style of Hollywood’s “Golden Age.”
Edith Head: Hollywood’s Costume Designer, organized by OKCMOA and presented by The Ann Lacy Foundation, opens June 22 and runs through September 29. Buy your tickets here.
Image Credit
Edith Head personality still. Courtesy of The Paramount Pictures Archive
