NEWS FROM THE COSTUME CHAIR…
by Louise Coffey-Webb, Costume Committee Chair
THE ARC TO CELEBRATE THE 70THANNIVERSARY OF 1939 FILMS
This issue’s column will be a bit abbreviated as I’m off for what I’m sure will be an extraordinary trip to China with another professor from Woodbury University and two lucky fashion students. The Maxine Frankel Foundation is making it possible for us to visit Beijing and Shanghai where we plan to visit fashion designers, museums, colleges and hopefully bring back some new ideas – which I’ll share in the next newsletter!
Just before leaving, I was able to change out one of the costume display cases in celebration of the 70th anniversary of what many consider to be the greatest year in all filmdom: 1939.
Though we do not currently have any costumes from the most famous film of 1939 (and most of the years since!) Gone With The Wind, (we’re always looking and keeping our fingers crossed to find one) I found a gown circa 1860 (think Civil War) from the MGM musical hit, The Pirate, starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. This gown was worn by Marion Murray as Eloise (see photo below). The costume designer was Tom Keogh and the costume supervisor was the famed Irene, with wardrobe construction by Karinska. Its construction, like most of these period pieces, is outstanding. Please drop by and see it in person.
More on my return…