Edith Head: the five most iconic dresses of the most famous dressmaker in cinema

[Akrapovic]

With his shell glasses and bangs he became one of Hollywood's most po[CENSORED]r characters. These are her most representative dresses

October is an important month for movie theater fans. Or, more specifically, Edna Moda, the tiny character of 'The Incredibles'. Why? The answer lies in the designer she is inspired by: Edith Head. The most important dressmaker in the history of cinema was born on October 28, 121 years ago (in 1887) and died on the 24th of the same month of 37 (in 1981). Californian with shell glasses, symmetric bangs and a hairstyle to the bowl, the head of Paramount department became an essential piece to understand certain films such as 'Sabrina', 'The Indicreta Window' or 'The Twilight of the Gods'. In fact, its influence is still very present today.

[READ MORE: Much more than Audrey Hepburn, 20 iconic Givenchy dresses (and her maison)]

Her last name, Head, was actually that of her husband, Charles Head. Although the marriage lasted rather short, the dressmaker liked it so much what his name was that he stayed forever. Despite being a graduate in Philosophy and Letters, the costumes were her great passion. And he dedicated himself to it until, in the 40s, he entered to command the costume department of Paramount and became one more celebrity. His peculiar way of speaking, his way of dressing, his deep-rooted Catholicism and the parties he gave in his mansion were almost as important as the dresses of 1,131 movies he designed.

He won 8 Oscars and was nominated 35 times. Vanitatis pays tribute to her best creations:
Barbara Stanwyck in 'Memory of a Night' (1941)

A dress with wide sleeves and dark color with a belt that enhanced the figure of a Stanwyck turned into a good-hearted thief in this classic directed by Mitchell Leisen.
Olivia de Havilland in 'The Heiress' (1949)

Head showed, with this adaptation of Henry James' novel, that he could also put his style on period dresses. The embroideries of the clothing of Olivia de Havilland (embodying the character who gave her second Oscar) remain a masterpiece.
Grace Kelly in 'The indiscreet window' (1954)

The presentation of Grace Kelly in Hitchcock's masterpiece remains iconic thanks to this vaporous skirt with which the designer showed that her wardrobe could define the character. In this case, that of his elitist life.
Audrey Hepburn in 'Sabrina' (1954)

In collaboration with Givenchy, Head designed some dresses like this that became a symbol of the career of the mythical Audrey Hepburn.
Kim Novak in 'Vertigo' (1958)

With or without a white coat, Hitchcock's Kim Novak was even more mysterious with this black model with which he walked through the streets of San Francisco.