Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Head of the Class

Legendary movie costume designer Edith Head, who won a record eight Academy Awards out of an astounding 35 nominations, is the subject of a new stage play opening tonight in London.

A Conversation with Edith Head is written by Paddy Calistro and Susan Claassen, based on Calistro and Head's book Edith Head's Hollywoodand starring Claassen as the famed film fashionista.

The production is scheduled to run through August 31.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This play is a fantastic recreation of one of the first Female Power Players in Hollywood- Edith Head. And she was the only contract player who didn't rely on her 'looks' - but built her power base on good old fashioned Talent and Style.

A whole new generation of film fans will be introduced, through this play, to the iconic designer Edith Head. They will see what Hollywood Costume Design was like before today's 'stylists' took over and shopped 'off-the-rack'.

Hollywood Stars wore costumes and they left the rest of us mere mortals to wear clothes.
It didn't matter if they were in front of the camera or on the red carpet, Stars were Stars. They may have been forced to walk amongst us but they certainly didn't have to shop with us. Image was their drug of choice and Edith Head was their pharmacist.

If a Star was big enough and lucky enough, Edith Head custom designed their every outfit. She personally chose the fabric, cut, color and accessories to create and reinforce that Star's unique Hollywood image.

This intimate play captures her drive, ambition and the Talent that still makes her an icon today. How lucky London is to finally get a peak inside the wardrobe trunk of the Queen of Costume, Edith Head. Long may she reign.