Halloween Throwback, Vintage Costume Designs



(Bob Mackie sketch while working under Edith Head) 
Seeing all the fun costumes out and about today for Halloween has gotten be thinking about all the costume designers and costume illustrations that I love so much. If you've been following Fabulous Doodles a while now you probably know I started out wanting to be a costume designer and even dabbled in the field interning in various wardrobe departments in college followed by a stint as a wardrobe supervisor on an off Broadway show. Although these vintage designs are nothing like the productions I worked on but a girl can dream! I'm mean how utterly spectacular is this Bob Mackie design while working under fellow costume design legend Edith Head?! (shown above)
(Edith Head sketch of Elizabeth Taylor for "A Place in the Sun")
Speaking of, it should be noted that Edith Head is the only woman to have won 8 Academy Awards and a whopping 35 nominations spanning her career. She was Hollywood's leading costume designer, a favorite among leading ladies and even earned a star on the Walk of Fame. Head designed for countless classic movies including A Place in the Sun (shown above), Sunset Boulevard, Roman Holiday, Sabrina, The Ten Commandments, and Funny Face.
(Cecil Beaton design for "My Fair Lady")
This next vintage costume design illustration is by another Academy Award winner, Cecil Beaton. Beaton won the Oscar in Costume Design for this very production (shown above) My Fair Lady. He was also an acclaimed photographer and worked as a staff photographer for Vogue earlier on in his career.
(Edith Head for "Sweet Charity") 
Last but not least is another wonderful Edith Head illustration. This design was for the 1969 film Sweet Charity directed by Bob Fosse. I love modern cut of this 60's mini dress and all the call outs for diamond, palliates and ankle jewels.

To see more of my favorite vintage costume design illustration you can pop on over to my costume design Pinterest board. Hope your having a fabulous Halloween!

Leave a Comment

Unknown said...

What a fun post to read! I have been a classic movie fan all my life, and to see sketches by Edith Head is such a treat. I look for her name on almost every movie I watch!

Aga @ Passion shake said...

Those are really beautiful sketches and what a treat indeed :) Pretty and original. Thanks for sharing x

Brooke Hagel said...

Thanks ladies! I'm so glad you liked the post. I'm a sucker for Edith Head as well and certainly can't get enough of these vintage costume sketches.

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