Adrian: Silver Screen to Custom Label - Hardcover

Esquevin, Christian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1580931936 ISBN 13: 9781580931939

Publisher: The Monacelli Press, 2008

Synopsis

This book highlights and showcases many of Adrian great costume and fashion designs from the 1920s through the 1950s. Not only are his timeless glamour gowns, period costumes, and amazing show-girl costumes shown from the movies, but also his impeccable suits and beautiful gowns from his private label. The ten years of Adrian Ltd. are summarized year-by-year, and his life with Janet Gaynor and his taste for decorating and art are described.

About this title

About the Author

Christian Esquevin was born in the south of France and raised in Los Angeles. He is a collector and historian of costume design art from the classic films of Hollywood. He is also director of the Coronado Public Library in Southern California.

From the Inside Flap

Greta Garbo's cocked hat in Romance , Judy Garland's blue and white gingham pinafore in The Wizard of Oz , Katharine Hepbburn's white and gold gown in The Philadelphia Story : these stunning film looks were all created by fashion designer Gilbert Adrian. As chief costume designer at MGM from 1928 to 1941, Adrian designed costumes for dozens of films featuring the stars of Hollywood's golden age, including Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Loretta Young, Lana Turner, Jean Harlow, and many others. But his most glamorous star was Garbo, whose gowns he designed for Camille, Grand Hotel, Queen Christina , and Mata Hari .

In 1942, Adrian opened up his own couture and ready-to-wear business, featuring elegant designs characterized by asymetrical draping, broad shoulders, dolman sleeves, slim skirts, unique patterned fabrics, and splashes of color. His theme was unmistakable: American design for American women.

Adrian: Silver Screen to Custom Label is the first book to present the the full range of the designer's work and its far-reaching influence on decades of fashion design. Author Christian Esquevin discusses Adrian's talents for art and design; his studies in Paris, which led to work on Broadway for Irving Berlin; his long tenure at MGM; and his wildly successful fashion line. Copiously illustrated with archival images from film and and fashion runway alike, this volume showcases Adrian's hauntingly beautiful designs and his unrivaled position as creator of American style.

Edition details

• Publisher: The Monacelli Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1580931936
• ISBN 13: 9781580931939
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224