Adrian: Silver Screen to Custom Label

by Christian Esquevin, Yeohlee (Foreword)

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.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 10, 2008

About the author

Christian Esquevin was born in France and raised in Los Angeles. He is currently the director of the Coronado Public Library in California. He has had a life-time love of books as well as of art. His great-aunt worked in the wardrobe department of various Hollywood studios in the "golden age," and from her legacy he has become a historian and collector of Hollywood costume design art. His book on fashion and costume designer Adrian combines Hollywood glamour and the influence of 1940s California fashion through the genius of Adrian. Christian Esquevin is currently writing a book interweaving three other influential costume and fashion designers. Esquevin's passion for collecting old Hollywood photos and original costume design drawings provides rarely seen graphgic resources for his books.

Reviews

[Creolecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the men (along with Earl Luick, Orry Kelly, and Travis Banton, among others) I would love to have dressed me.

[Syrena · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a longtime admirer of Adrian gowns and THE designer of olde Hollywoodland, this book was a sweet treat. I took notes on which films to add to my must-see list basing my choices on wardrobe photos which filled pages and pages of this beautiful oversized coffee table book. Surprised to learn Adrian designed for over 200 films!

I literally read this book in two days and could not stop turning pages. I enjoyed the history of the times and learned a few things! This book whisked me away to my happy place, life in the 1930s and 40s and oooh what could have been like. The only tragedy was Adrian’s life being cut so short, ending abruptly in his mid fifties! Damn cigarettes!

Fortunately he left his mark- inspired by drape, flowing fabrics, accent bows, impeccable detail, tiny waistlines emphasized by broader shoulders (cue the shoulder pad) and all that have feminized the woman’s body. There’s a special place in my heart for this one and a must-own for those lazy Sundays.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Half of the book was about his career at the studios, and the other half covered when he opened his own design studio. The text was interesting but I would have liked less description and more actual photos/stills of Adrian's creations for the studios. I liked the book very much but think that a 5 star book would have included more photos. Not very well edited, there were misquotes from several of the films covered. There were also inconsistencies in spelling between the text and the picture captions.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love to read books about the golden age of Hollywood. This was fascinating. He dressed some of the biggest stars and contributed to the aura around them. Filled with pictures and sketches of his work, this book is sure to showcase the glamour of the age.

[Carol Gleason-Rechner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely written by a fan who believed his subject could do no wrong. The pictures are very pretty.

[Susan Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good inspiration for my future haute couture gowns.

[Heather]

It looks like I'll be writing a review for CSA Western Region for this book in a few months.