What do you think?
Rate this book
Adrian: A Lifetime of Movie Glamour, Art and High Fashion
From ruby slippers to fashion runways, A Lifetime of Movie Glamour, Art and High Fashion is a visual celebration of the life and work of the man behind some of the most memorable fashions of Hollywood's golden age.
This book is a bright and vivacious look at the fashion, art and homes of one of the most celebrated fashion designers of the twentieth century. Adrian (1903-1959) designed costumes for over 150 Hollywood productions, including fabulous gowns worn by such iconic actresses as Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Judy Garland, and Katharine Hepburn. He then went on to found one of the most popular and influential fashion labels of the mid-twentieth century, Adrian, Ltd. He had a passion for art and interior design, as seen in his impeccably decorated homes, which he shared with his wife, Hollywood movie star Janet Gaynor, and his personal paintings and sketches.
The man who created the famous ruby slippers worn in The Wizard of Oz was also the first American designer honored with a retrospective at the Smithsonian Institution, and his influence can still be felt on the runways in New York and Paris today. This is the first book on the famed Hollywood fashion and costume designer to be published with the cooperation of his family. With a foreword by the designer's son, Robin, as well as a treasure trove of never-before-seen images and anecdotes taken from Adrian's unpublished manuscript, this is the definitive book on the life of the legendary designer.
This book is a bright and vivacious look at the fashion, art and homes of one of the most celebrated fashion designers of the twentieth century. Adrian (1903-1959) designed costumes for over 150 Hollywood productions, including fabulous gowns worn by such iconic actresses as Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Judy Garland, and Katharine Hepburn. He then went on to found one of the most popular and influential fashion labels of the mid-twentieth century, Adrian, Ltd. He had a passion for art and interior design, as seen in his impeccably decorated homes, which he shared with his wife, Hollywood movie star Janet Gaynor, and his personal paintings and sketches.
The man who created the famous ruby slippers worn in The Wizard of Oz was also the first American designer honored with a retrospective at the Smithsonian Institution, and his influence can still be felt on the runways in New York and Paris today. This is the first book on the famed Hollywood fashion and costume designer to be published with the cooperation of his family. With a foreword by the designer's son, Robin, as well as a treasure trove of never-before-seen images and anecdotes taken from Adrian's unpublished manuscript, this is the definitive book on the life of the legendary designer.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published November 5, 2019
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 2, 2020
A beautiful book. Very well done. Takes you through all of the stages of Adrians life and art. Absolutely enjoyed this book. The photographs are fantastic.
January 8, 2023
Beautiful and interesting.
February 2, 2022
This is a gorgeous book that celebrates the life of Adrian, the great costume designer who worked at MGM in the 20s and 30s and then retired to open his own salon in the 40s. As a child, he wanted to be a painter of animals after being mesmerized by the painting "The Horse Fair" by Rosa Bonheur. Later he developed an interest in the theater and a class trip to Paris resulted in him being hired by Irving Berlin to design costumes for his "Music Box Revue of 1922". This led to him working on Broadway and it was there that his sketches were noticed by Natasha Rambova (later Valentino's wife). She took him to Hollywood and he became enormously successful there, finally landing himself on the MGM roster.
The book is divided in chapters that illustrate his work with Greta Garbo (and his comments about her are rather illuminating), the Valentinos, Cecil B. DeMille and his wife Janet Gaynor. Later chapters showcase his homes, salon and paintings.
The book is a fast read (large, minimal text) but it is the photographs (both color and black and white) that is the star attraction. The photos are from the collection of Leonard Stanley who admits he was obsessed with Adrian and amassed a vast collection of his work. This is a beautifully produced book.
The book is divided in chapters that illustrate his work with Greta Garbo (and his comments about her are rather illuminating), the Valentinos, Cecil B. DeMille and his wife Janet Gaynor. Later chapters showcase his homes, salon and paintings.
The book is a fast read (large, minimal text) but it is the photographs (both color and black and white) that is the star attraction. The photos are from the collection of Leonard Stanley who admits he was obsessed with Adrian and amassed a vast collection of his work. This is a beautifully produced book.
October 14, 2020
Stunning and glamorous.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews