Edith Head: The Paramount Icon Who Defined Golden Age Cinema

[@FashionQuestion]

Despite the mixed reputation surrounding Edith Head’s work in some sources, she remains one of the greatest costume designers of all time. Her contributions to Hollywood defined the golden age of cinema, shaping the looks of countless iconic films and stars. While debates about credit and collaboration exist, her undeniable talent, vision, and work ethic left a lasting mark on the industry. Edith’s designs not only captured the essence of each character but also set trends that influenced fashion beyond the screen. True pioneers often face scrutiny, yet her legacy as an Oscar winner speaks for itself. It’s time to appreciate Edith Head’s extraordinary contributions and recognize her as the trailblazer she was.❤

[@christinechildress5021]

I’m old enough to remember her on Art Linkletter’s show! Always very elegant! Loved that she was the basis for ‘E’ on the Incredibles.

[@victoriaarcher9861]

Wha? Wait! You can't mean that **wasn't** Edith Head in "The Incredibles"? It was her! It. Was. Her. !!!

[@Knucklehead123]

Going to look that up!

[@Helenahandbasket1971]

My mom met her at universal. Mom had my niece and was feeding her while we were doing an attraction. Edith came over because she noticed my nieces blanket. They ended up talking for 30 min and exchanged numbers. They remained friends until she passed away.

[@ernestcastro6238]

How interesting, thank you.

[@FashionQuestion]

Wow!!!!!!!

[@paolamura3497]

That was probably one of her major talents...networking.

[@Helenahandbasket1971]

@paolamura3497 my mom was a sahm but was also a great seamstress in her own right. She made the blanket that caught Ediths attention. She was a very nice lady, I went a few times to lunch with my mom.

[@nadia-i1l5h]

Her designs for Audrey and Grace speak to me most. It is probably the synergy between them that made it work so beautifully.

[@FashionQuestion]

Yes,I think so too!

[@juancarlospinera7038]

Actually. Edith did not designed Audrey s costumes. Those were designed by givenchy and Edith took credit and won an Oscar for them just because she was given credit in the movie just because how her contract was drawn. And that was not the only time she took credit for somebody else’s designs. I’m sure she did design some of the dresses for stars during that era however because you can tell that she was a total hustler. Willing to use others work to further here career You can never tell what she designed and what others designed.

[@norakonstantinopoulos5924]

Givenchy designed the iconic peacock dress, the black evening dress and the two piece suit worn at the bus stop. Audrey was very instrumental in creating her classic iconic image. She was not happy that Edith ended up winning an Oscar for costume design for the movie and there being no mention of Givenchy. However, he would remain her costume designer for all her films.

[@FashionQuestion]

@ that’s true!

[@IAmSweetPea]

She had a speaking role as herself in one of my favorite episodes of Columbo. I’d love to own one of her sketches

[@asa1973100]

Now that I never knew, do you know which episode it was? I’d love to watch it.

[@IAmSweetPea]

@ yes! Season two Episode 5 requiem for a falling star

[@mariestreeting4213]

@@IAmSweetPeathanks for that,I’ll check it out. I love Columbo.

[@Imanimal-lover]

I was thinking the same. 😊

[@claudiameier666]

she was the one who decided what the stars wore. she earned her oscars

[@FashionQuestion]

❤️

[@wayneking2090]

Is that an A.I voice?...... If so I object to this video because there are thousands...if not HUNDREDS of thousands of TRUE fans (me included) that would have loved to narrate this video. Real fans that would love to communicate with each other instead of listening to this drone voice!!!!

[@FashionQuestion]

Hello! First of all, thank you for your attention to my work! I’m a real person, and on this channel, I talk only about what I genuinely love! As for the voiceover, I pay for this service for each video since, unfortunately, I don’t speak English… However, choosing the topic, selecting photos, and writing the script-that is, creating the video-is all my work. So, if you found it interesting, stay tuned-I promise lots of exciting content! Best wishes! Valeria🌷

[@MARYREED-nh7gb]

There have been many videos of EH, but this one is excellent. She always found a way to make everyone look good within the scope of the character. I appreciated your take on how she managed her career.

[@FashionQuestion]

Thank you very much!!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@clairetaylor4641]

She understood the situation that clothes would be worn in, the person who would be wearing them and the classic design each required. To emphasize each figures best qualities. She has always been my hero.!

[@FashionQuestion]

Me too!!

[@kvk1960]

Edith Head was talented but she was also a notorious thief of the designs of others. She had a large team of fashion designers whose individual designs she would take and claim as her own without giving anyone else credit. Just sayin'. It's true.

[@FashionQuestion]

👌❤️

[@pkihu9910]

@@kvk1960 Thank you for knowing the truth about her. Please read my comments. I know many industry people who were there during the time. Audrey Hepburn herself even spoke to this . I don't understand 😕 when people try to rewrite history to suit them. Oh well moving on.

[@longbranch11207]

Thank you for calling her out

[@susanvineyard4034]

This is an excellent short. 🤩. ALL people are flawed. ALL people have talents. Encourage everyone to read biographies and/or autobiographies for perspective and not accept comments as research. Her reflections are very interesting from a woman of her time and age. We did not live thru what she did-we cannot possibly respond to her actions without emotional bias. She knew what she was doing- others weren’t able to keep up. Edith discusses how it was to survive in the business as a newbie and a woman. It’s a cutthroat business. Couture is the same. Taking credit is not new, and I think she was quite shrewd regarding her own survival. ****The big picture is she brought attention to costuming as a separate character role in films. With her influence young designers were able to find their own ways specially young women. A tough broad to be admired and accepted as she was.

[@FashionQuestion]

@ thank you!

[@lindaabraham8715]

Before Edith Head designed for Vogue, she also designed at least one pattern for Advance, a pattern company that has now long been defunct. I own one of them, and wish I could find more.

[@FashionQuestion]

Very interesting 😲

[@MARYREED-nh7gb]

Thank you for that information. I have used an Advance pattern.

[@FashionQuestion]

@ thank you for watching!❤️

[@Llamalpacalama]

I also have one of her designs with Advance, #9356. It's to small for me, but I like looking at the cover art.

[@FashionQuestion]

@ wow!!!

[@rckkeller9437]

I look for her name in every vintage movie…

[@NewYorkerinLondon7]

Excellent. Thank you. ✨

[@FashionQuestion]

Thank you very much❤️❤️❤️❤️😘

[@gabyfields3235]

Hitchcock recognized her talent. I LOVED her creations for Grace Kelly in "To catch a Thief" and "Rear Window". Her designs were absolutely timeless and beautiful! She could have worked for French Haute Couture in Paris...

[@danja7691]

She was the inspiration for Edna Mode in "The Incredibles."

[@FashionQuestion]

👌❤️

[@Knucklehead123]

Always looked for her name in opening credits - if it said Costumes by Edith Head - the movie already had 100% better production value.

[@FashionQuestion]

👌❤️

[@davidbrienlantry8760]

The sketches of Audrey Hepburn's gowns for "Sabrina" were actually designed by Givenchy and not Edith Head,

[@FashionQuestion]

Edith Head, as the chief costume designer at Paramount Pictures, was officially credited as the costume designer for the film “Sabrina” (1954), even though the main outfits for Audrey Hepburn were created by Hubert de Givenchy. She made corrections to the sketches and adapted some of his designs for filming to meet the studio’s requirements and suit the character. Head was also responsible for part of the wardrobe, which allowed her to retain her name in the film credits. This caused dissatisfaction from Givenchy, whose contribution went unacknowledged, even though it was his designs that made “Sabrina”’s costumes iconic.

[@pkihu9910]

@@davidbrienlantry8760 Thank you for that information and commenting. I know staff members and children of staff members who worked on the film they will confirmed that. Edith was so jealous of Givenchy and disliked Audrey Hepburn she twisted the truth. It's sad 😔 people don't know the facts.

[@juliepeterson6639]

Fake it till you make it, I suppose. I do love her work, and always will.

[@Ursaminor31]

The weak ones steal others brilliance and claim it as their own. I know this far too well, as I opened Elle decor and found my project on a seven page spread with no credit. I was the design director at the firm and conceptualized, designed and coordinated the entire project. Seven awards not credited for my work over a career. I have the unending talent so I’m not at a loss or beholden to anyone

[@FashionQuestion]

Thank you for sharing❤️

[@dwhitman3092]

Bluntly put, That sucks for you!

[@FashionQuestion]

@ 😲😲

[@virginiabotha3545]

Edith reminds me so much of Coco Chanel, in the way she dressed.❤

[@FashionQuestion]

Me too❤️

[@MegaLivingIt]

It was really kind of hard for women to get ahead in those days, like the video said. You couldn't even get a bank loan where you didn't have a husband even when you were young with great credit. Like try to buy a house. Speaking from experience. And, she was an artist, which explains quirky or eccentric personality which creative people have. 😊

[@FashionQuestion]

Fully agree!!!

[@wd122482]

Edith Head did not design Audret Helburn I. "Sabrina". Henri Givenchy designed the 2 iconic dresses, the white and black gown, and the black dress with the ties at the shoulders. ( that little black hat was quirky and adorable) Edith gladly took credit and the Oscar even though she didn't deserve it.

[@FashionQuestion]

Yes,We talk about it today 😉

[@wyorose5965]

Edith head was the inspiration behind the super hero costume character in the animated film The Incredibles.

[@FashionQuestion]

❤️

[@radiohill]

Katherine Hepburn won eight Oscars as well, so I guess they're tied for first.

[@AprilB-vy6uq]

Her accomplishments were brilliant. Imagine what she could have done without the patriarchy holding her back.

[@FashionQuestion]

👌

[@sylviadrees3761]

8 Oscars and not even a Wikipedia entry.

[@FashionQuestion]

Yes. 1. The Heiress (1949) 2. Samson and Delilah (1950) 3. All About Eve (1950) 4. A Place in the Sun (1951) 5. Roman Holiday (1953) 6. Sabrina (1954) 7. The Facts of Life (1960) 8. The Sting (1973)

[@mariestreeting4213]

@@FashionQuestionwow, I didn’t know. Thanks so much.

[@FashionQuestion]

@@mariestreeting4213 ❤️❤️❤️

[@trudygreer2491]

Are you talking about Edith? There is indeed an article on Wikip about EH!

[@FashionQuestion]

@ yes

[@trudygreer2491]

A rather funny (to me!) joke about her was in the form of bathroom wall writing: "Edith Head gives good wardrobe".. in poor taste, to be sure, but makes the teenager in me giggle..😊

[@FashionQuestion]

😁

[@maeve4686]

So many of these glamorous costumes were torn apart for the fabric during WW2. Any fabric was hard to come by. It was seen as (our term of) recycling...if you're a fan of movies during the war years, also note there were very few young leading men, background characters, extras..all were away at war...

[@FashionQuestion]

Very interesting,thank you!

[@conxihidalgohidalgo5029]

Gracias a todas las personas que hicieron comentarios bien informados, si no los leyera siempre, tendría una opinión muy parcial de esta persona.❤

[@FashionQuestion]

Absolutely!!!!❤️❤️❤️

[@bbrown333]

Yay! Ronni!

[@dottiemathews6853]

Wait a minute! those drawings for Audrey Hepburn for "Sabrina" i thought those designs were by Givanchy.

[@FashionQuestion]

Yes,but Edith corrected them

[@sycamoreknox9419]

She was born Edith Claire Posener in San Bernardino, California, the daughter of Jewish parents.

[@FashionQuestion]

Thank you👌

[@deborahdavis6801]

Her personal signature look brings to mind Anna Wintour.

[@ruthnovena40]

not really she is unique.

[@deborahdavis6801]

@@ruthnovena40 I didn't say that she isn't unique. I said "Her personal look BRINGS TO MIND Anna Wintour". That is a personal opinion, not a comparison. They are both clearly unique, as is everyone.

[@ovalbeach]

@1:36, do I see a bag of Fritos on the table?

[@FashionQuestion]

Sorry,really don’t know…🤔

[@lilbat7389]

Only know about her because of the incredibles lol

[@FashionQuestion]

👌

[@josepinheiro6064]

❤️

[@FashionQuestion]

❤️❤️❤️

[@sarahford3576]

Edith Head did NOT design Audrey Hepburn's costumes for Sabrina! Givenchy did but she took the glory. She was a sneak

[@FashionQuestion]

Yes,we talk about that in comments😉❤️

[@inesborstel5592]

❤

[@FashionQuestion]

Thanks for watching ❤️

[@onemom]

❤❤🎉

[@FashionQuestion]

❤️❤️❤️

[@gabriellebernard198]

It seems whoever wrote this piece has a chip on their shoulders. Edith head was not the only female designer. For example, Irene Sharaf. Yes, the male designers were paid in accordance to their talent, not sex. Leading stars chose Travis Bantan or Adrian because of the singular mission. The did want to wear clothes they wanted outfits. Edith was extremely conservative. She made clothes like you see on the street whereas Dietrich or Garbo wanted something you notice. the biased attitude of the writer is flawed. She won more Oscar's than other designers. That in itself reveals she wasn't working without appreciation or acknowlegement.

[@FashionQuestion]

Thanks for your opinion!

[@honey5269]

How exciting it must have been to meet all these famous actors, actresses and producers as Hitchcock.

[@FashionQuestion]

@ 😍

[@trudygreer2491]

Don't forget Helen Rose!

[@artistinlederhosen]

mary ann nyborg, marjorie best, kay dodson, irene, irene sharaff, dolly tree, dorothy jeakins, bonnie cashin, elois jenssen, helen rose, etc. hardly a dearth of female designers. maybe the male designers dominated in the very early years but it was hardly the case, a few years later. edith was the master of self promotion.

[@joannejohnson7006]

Copycat did great 👍🏽 trusting someone like this? I would keep my counci…

[@marilynmichaels8358]

the voice is fine..i hate those valley girl duck voices.

[@FashionQuestion]

Thank you ❤️

[@pkihu9910]

She was horrible. Edith made an arrangement with the studios , every film would give her credit if she worked on the project or not. She would sign her name to ALL sketches other designers' work. Givenchy is a prime example and Breakfast At Tiffany's The public has no idea if she worked on a film or not. She worked on far less than we think. AND she was racist she would not touch Dorothy Dandridge's skin. She thought it was disgusting to touch black skin . Please stop praising this woman. She was no hero! Research please

[@FashionQuestion]

Very interesting,thank you!

[@wayneking2090]

This video would mean so much more if it wasnt for the TOTALLY FAKE VOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Imagine how nice it would be to hear a real human! So disappointing that there are "bots" out there taking away from the real human experience!

[@FashionQuestion]

❤️

[@jamesmcinnis208]

Meh. She knew how to play the game, unabashedly taking credit for others' work. Travis Banton was far more talented.

[@bashagreis5018]

AI

[@FashionQuestion]

No

[@juancarlospinera7038]

Edith head was not a super talented designer that try to convey on this video. Many times she took credit for other designers. Including Givenchy She was definetly a shrewd operator and used others to advance her careers. Even winning at least one of her Oscars for work she didn’t do. And never even mentioning the name of the actual designer on her acceptance speech.

[@FashionQuestion]

No, perhaps you misunderstood… but I don’t think that at all. She was an absolute genius!

[@juancarlospinera7038]

@ I advise you to research a little deeper. I did. And found out that she took a lot of credit for things she didn’t actually designed herself

[@pkihu9910]

​@@FashionQuestion She was a theft taking credit for other people's work. Please research !!! Audrey Hepburn said so herself. Audrey said because of what Edith did taking credit she would make sure the world knew Givenchy's name. Edith HATED Audrey because she wasn't Katherine and how she looked.

[@FashionQuestion]

@ thank you for your advise!

[@pkihu9910]

@FashionQuestion You are always so gracious ❤️ 💖 sorry about all my comments. Thanks for your replies 🙂

[@pkihu9910]

Most of the comments here are saying the same thing. Edith was a theft and you should do your research before posting untrue videos. I should mention I do enjoy your videos but this one is a miss.

[@FashionQuestion]

Thank you for your comment, but I have studied quite a few sources. Opinions are rather contradictory, yet most sources still say that Edith Head was a great woman, and the number of her awards speaks to that. Moreover, I have no desire to discuss any scandals or negative things, especially now, when everyone in the world already has an overwhelming number of problems. This channel was created to highlight the names of forgotten and renowned designers who elevated fashion as an art form and placed beauty at the forefront of their life and work. I believe it is important to talk about what was created, rather than what went wrong.❤️

[@pkihu9910]

@@FashionQuestion I respect that , afterall it is your channel you can post whatever you want. I think I am so emotional about this topic, knowing designers who were tossed aside because of this woman. Unfortunately, because of bad behavior, it keeps happening. I will move on from this video. If you ever need additional first-hand information on any fashion topic, please don't hesitate to ask. 😊 Honest I have worked with most of the top designers & in the fashion world for over 40 years. I have to keep my anonymity for obvious reasons.

[@FashionQuestion]

@❤️❤️❤️

[@christinechildress5021]

I’m old enough to remember her on Art Linkletter’s show! Always very elegant! Loved that she was the basis for ‘E’ on the Incredibles.

[@FashionQuestion]

Wow!!!thanks for your memories ❤️