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The Style of Edith Head

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By kellyfilmgirl


Edith Head - One of the Most Recognizable Names in Costume Design

Even if you don't recognize her by name, chances are, you'll know her fashions. Edith Head won eight Oscars and was nominated for the statue a total of 34 times.

Many of Hollywood's most legendary actresses requested her by name and over her career, she won more Oscars than any other woman in history. Here's a look at the style of Edith Head.


The Ten Commandments

Edith designed the costumes for the Cecil B. Demille film, "The Ten Commandments." Nominated for an Oscar for the costumes, Edith was able to capture the elegance of Egyptian style of the era with the costumes she designed for Anne Baxter.

The Ten Commandments on DVD

The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection) The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection)
Price: $16.68
List Price: $24.99

Bette Davis in All About Eve
Bette Davis in All About Eve

All About Eve

Remember this dress? Bette Davis wore this number in the film, "All About Eve."

The dress was designed by Edith Head and later, Edith would win an Oscar for Costume Design for All About Eve.


Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday
Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday

Roman Holiday

Edith Head designed Audrey Hepburn's costumes for Roman Holiday and, as a result, won the Oscar that year for her work.

Edith would later take credit for designing Audrey's wardrobe in Sabrina even though she didn't personally design her wardrobe and, instead, chose her clothing.

Roman Holiday on DVD

Roman Holiday (Special Collector's Edition) Roman Holiday (Special Collector's Edition)
Price: $4.97
List Price: $9.98

The Great Sabrina Debate

On many sites and even on the film's credits, you'll see Edith Head credited for the costume design of Sabrina. In fact, not only did she receive credit for the designs, she also took home an Oscar for them.

Sabrina's gowns, once she arrived home from Paris, were designed by Hubert de Givenchy. Initially, Head was to be credited beside Givenchy. However, Edith wouldn't have her name displayed beside Givenchy's and so Givenchy's name was removed from the credits and Edith Head was given sole credit for the costume design on Sabrina.

Later, Head was nominated for an Oscar for Sabrina's costume design and won the award. Givenchy would go on to become one of Audrey's primary fashion designers and is given most of the credit for the style that she has inspired.

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Patty Inglish, MS profile image

Patty Inglish, MS  says:
2 years ago

Very nice Hub!

kellyfilmgirl profile image

kellyfilmgirl  says:
2 years ago

Thanks!

desert blondie profile image

desert blondie  says:
18 months ago

So, who designed that dress in Audrey Hepburn/Sabrina photo? Givenchy or Head? Nice hub about a famous woman 'behind the scenes' of the movie industry.

desert blondie profile image

desert blondie  says:
11 months ago

It's been months...but stopped by to see who'd been commenting on this column...a shame, I think, that more haven't stopped by and added to the Edith Head love-fest, and/or controversy. Hope all going well with you as new year 2009 gets underway!

RVDMIXER  says:
8 months ago

My Mother was June Van Dyke, she was Edith's producer for her traveling fashion shows. The story Edith told in regard to Sabrina was that Givenchy did offer some designs for Hepburns gowns, however Edith took the designs into consideration and created her own versions of the gowns, in particular the black 'cocktail' dress. Underneath this dress was a petticoat that had been hand sewn by nuns in a French Monastery with over 200 individual panels, it was beautiful and seldom seen other than in the traveling shows. When Edith passed away my Mother inheirited her costume collectiion of over 200 costumes, including personal gowns and sketches.

kellyfilmgirl profile image

kellyfilmgirl  says:
7 months ago

That's amazing, RVD. Thank you for sharing that.

Agatha  says:
7 months ago

I am looking for the wardrobe of Donna Butterworth in Family Jewels with Jerry Lewis. I would like to see photos and info. on the little girls outfits.

Thanks

Agatha

Shirley  says:
2 days ago

Edith did not design any of the gowns on Audrey. It is an embarrassment that anyone would believe this false tale.

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