CATCH A CLASSIC
Special Theme: Follow the Thread: ‘When Fashion and Costume Collide’
TCM, Beginning at 7 p.m.
Each Saturday evening in June, Turner Classic Movies’ “Follow the Thread” special theme will spotlight a double feature of films associated with a particular theme having to do with fashion in memorable Hollywood productions. Tonight’s lineup is a twin bill of movies that are notable examples of times when fashion designers and costume designers, who generally have distinct goals and responsibilities, have had to work together with their artistry to make a film. These collaborations haven’t always been easy (or friendly), but the output was often stunning, as it was in tonight’s productions. Up first is Stage Fright (pictured) (1950), the Alfred Hitchcock-helmed mystery starring Marlene Dietrich as a glamorous high-society singer. The costume designer was Milo Anderson, known for creating Joan Crawford’s waitress uniform in Mildred Pierce, the chorus-girl costumes in 42nd Street and Lana Turner’s tight sweater in They Won’t Forget (the reason Turner became famous as “The Sweater Girl”). Anderson was a pro, but Dietrich insisted that her costumes be designed by the legendary Christian Dior’s fashion house. Hitchcock and studio head Jack Warner didn’t like the idea, but the star insisted (her phrase “No Dior, no Dietrich” became famous), and,
ultimately, both relented. The result was an exquisite assortment of dresses, jackets and gowns that made Dietrich stand out.
Her much younger co-star, Jane Wyman, was distraught because she looked so unsophisticated in comparison. Following that is the iconic 1954 romantic comedy Sabrina, starring Audrey Hepburn. Few actresses have been as associated with fashion as
Hepburn was, and it was this film that started her path toward becoming a style
icon. Famed costume designer Edith Head was responsible for the costumes in the film
and had already started sketching dresses for the actress when she learned that Hepburn actually wanted to wear “real” Paris clothing once her character transforms
from a shy girl into a sophisticated and confident woman. Hepburn went to Paris, where she found a collection of dresses designed by Hubert de Givenchy that she thought was right for her character. Head
was disappointed to be left with the much less glamorous wardrobe, but the contrast was perfect for the movie. Sabrina went on to win the Oscar for its costumes, but in accepting the award, Head never mentioned Givenchy’s contribution.