Photograph of Carole Lombard from Hollywood Costume

2012

Central GT617 C2 H65 2012. Every effort has been made to trace copyright ownership and to obtain permission for reproduction. If you believe you are the copyright owner of an item on this site, and we have not requested your permission, please contact us at special.collections@otago.ac.nz

London: Victoria and Albert Museum

The film industry in America began at the end of the 19th century and initially the actors provided their own on-screen costumes. About 1910, it was realised that costume design was a ‘critical element of the storytelling process’ (Nadoolman Landis, 2012), and the ‘Wardrobe Department’ became an enormous part of the Hollywood scene. Here, Hollywood actress Carole Lombard (1908-42) wears a bias-cut gown designed by Paramount Pictures costume designer, Travis Banton (1894-1958). Banton also dressed Mae West and Marlene Dietrich and was known for his glamourous and elegant designs.