Sketch to Screen exhibition at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art

As we told you in this post, eight costumes from the FIDM Museum collection are currently on exhibit in Sketch to Screen: The Art of Hollywood Costume Design at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Consisting of more than 85 original garments and accessories, the exhibition highlights the work of influential Hollywood costume designers, including Gilbert Adrian, Walter Plunkett, Edith Head and Travis Banton. Sketch to Screen closes on August 15, 2010, so you'd better visit soon if you haven't already!

For our readers who can't make it to Oklahoma City, we offer you the next best thing: installation photos of the FIDM Museum pieces accompanied by relevant segments of the audio tour. Narrated by our curator Kevin Jones, these short, informative segments are part of the Sketch to Screen audio tour. To listen, click on the link. Enjoy!

Kevin Jones discusses the gown worn by Marlene Dietrich in A Foreign Affair

Paisley strapless evening gown worn by Marlene Dietrich in A Foreign Affair
Irene/Edith Head
1949
HC 3633
Department of Recreation and Parks, City of Los Angeles, FIDM Museum
Photo by Jim Meeks, Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Kevin Jones discusses the "Suit of Lights" worn by Rudolph Valentino in Blood and Sand

"Suit of Lights" jacket worn by Rudolph Valentino in Blood and Sand
Natacha Rambova
1922
HC 4001
Department of Recreation and Parks, City of Los Angeles, FIDM Museum
Photo by Jim Meeks, Oklahoma City Museum of Art

Comments

[Heather Vaughan]

Great post, as always. Quick question on the Suit of Lights - I thought there was a label on the inside from a New York costume construction house? Is the assumption that Rambova purchased the piece in Spain (totally feasible), and had the New York house make alterations?
Thanks!
Heather

[Christina]

Heather,

I'm so glad you commented. Hollywood costume designer Howard Greer donated this suit of lights with the attribution of it being worn by Valentino in the movie "Blood and Sand". We confirmed this by watching the movie. The jacket must have been made in Spain because of the traditional construction methods and the high quality Spanish embroidery. It is likely Rambova did purchase the piece in Spain. I don't see evidence of alterations. Perhaps it entered a costume house after production. Greer could have purchased it from the costume house. Or, as I remember you telling me, the designer could have also purchased it from the Rudolph Valentino estate auction. This is a mystery that needs more sleuthing!

[Deidre Thieman]

I was wondering who loaned Valentino's jacket. Now I know. What a great piece!

[Rachel]

Hi Deidre,

We're very fortunate to have this piece as part of the Department of Recreation and Parks, City of Los Angeles long-term loan to the FIDM Museum. It's really exciting to have this piece (along with all the others!) on exhibit, as it hasn't been out of the Museum too often. And the pictures taken by The Oklahoma City Museum of Art are a great addition to the object record!