Jean Louis, Designer to the Stars

Green silk crepe gown worn by Judy Garland in 1954's "A Star Is Born" displayed on a dress form
Jean Louis Design for 1954's "A Star Is Born"
Today's post is to make note that the George Cukor directed movie "A Star Is Born" starring Judy Garland and James Mason premiered at The Pantages Theater in Hollywood on this date in 1954.

The critically acclaimed film garnered six Academy Award nominations with Judy Garland losing out to Grace Kelly for the Best Actress Oscar.

Jean Louis, Mary Ann Nyberg, and Irene Sharaff were nominated for an Academy Award in Best Costume Design in Color category for that year as well.

Jean Louis is noted for creating some of the more memorable costumes and fashions worn by four decades of Hollywood stars.

Rita Hayworth posed in black evening gown from scene in movie "Gilda"
Rita Hayworth in the "Gilda Gown"
Mr. Louis designed the iconic "Gilda Gown" worn by Rita Hayworth in the "Put the Blame on Mame" scene and Marilyn Monroe's equally iconic "Happy Birthday Mr. President" gown. He would go on to be nominated for fourteen Academy Awards in Costume Design during the 1950's and 1960's.

What I remember of him though is watching Loretta Young sweep through the door at the beginning and ending of "The Loretta Young Show" in those legendary evening gowns designed by Mr. Jean Louis.

How fitting that the designer and client would later marry and remain married until Mr. Louis' death in 1997.

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