EDITH HEAD DRESSING the Stars

THE OSCAR-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER MADE HOLLYWOOD EVEN MORE GLAMOROUS

- Louise A. Barile

Off duty, Edith enjoyed dressing in bright colors and patterned fabrics.

In 1924, Edith Head arrived at the film studio which would become Paramount Pictures to interview for a costume sketch artist job. She clutched a portfolio of drawings and paintings borrowed from her fellow art class students because she wasn't confident in her own abilities. "Struck dumb with admiration for anyone with such diverse talents, I hired the gal on the spot," recalled chief designer Howard Greer in his memoir.

Even after Edith confessed her ruse the next day, Howard kept her on, displaying his excellent instincts. Over the next five decades, Edith would become the greatest costume designer Hollywood would ever know, with a whopping 35 Oscar nominations and an impressive eight wins. In her lifetime, Edith would dress everyone from Mae West and Dorothy Lamour to Jane Fonda and Steve Martin.