The Artistry of Adrian: Hollywood's Celebrated Design Innovator

Exhibition

The Artistry of Adrian:
Hollywood's Celebrated Design Innovator

Second Rotation: April 25 to August 31, 2003
First Presented: June 5, 2002, to November 17, 2002
Noel Palomo-Lovinski, Guest-Curator

The Hollywood Years


Cocktail dress in yellow silk taffeta with brown ikat flowers Label: Adrian Custom c.1950-1952, United States of America Believed to have been worn by Joan Crawford Kent State University Museum Rodgers/Silverman Collection KSUM 1983.1.403 The shoulder swags on this gown would certainly support the idea that Joan Crawford wore this dress. For anyone that would have worn the dress, it would have made for an incredibly breathtaking entrance. The timelessness of Adrian's work is evident since it could easily be mistaken for a gown made in the 1980s.


Ivory crepe ensemble with passementerie in aide-de-camp fashion Label: Adrian Original mid to late 1940s, United States of America From the wardrobe of Rosalind Russell Kent State University Museum Rodgers/Silverman Collection KSUM 1983.1.402ab In this quintessentially mid-1940s gown, the military influence is in evidence by the use of braids, tassels and strong shoulders. The swag of fabric on the hip would have camouflaged ample hips or a rounded tummy. The bolero jacket adds width to the shoulders and minimizes the waist.


Bronze Jersey evening dress with contrasting chartreuse train lining Attributed to Adrian (label missing) c.1948-1952, United States of America Kent State University Museum Rodgers/Silverman Collection KSUM 1983.1.401 This sensational gown in an asymmetrical sweep creates the aura of Hollywood and "over the top" glamour. The fabric is arranged in such a way that any body type would have felt comfortable and beautiful. For all of Adrian's ingenuity, this dress is atypical of the designer's aesthetic. Towards the late 1940s and early 1950s, fashion was leaving the wide shouldered silhouette that Adrian had helped to make so popular. Christian Dior's "New Look" was at the forefront of fashion with padded hips, cinched waist and soft rounded shoulders. Adrian was forced to sink or swim with the tide of fashion.


Evening dress in black silk double-faced ottoman with satin back Label: Adrian mid to late 1940s, United States of America Kent State University Museum Rodgers/Silverman Collection KSUM 1983.1.400 Adrian's subtle sense of drama is apparent in this dress that would have looked fantastic on Greta Garbo.


Ivory crepe evening dress with self-fabric trimmings Label: Adrian Original "White Poodle" Design c.1945-1946, United States of America Kent State University Museum Gift of Mrs. Sophie Ghiatis through Joseph Simms KSUM 1984.23.38 Adrian used the 18th and 19th century military uniform's use of sashes and ribbons to suggest a patriotic feel rather than WWII military uniforms that were so popular during this time period. The dress is humorously named "White Poodle" for the self fabric loops that decorate the strategically placed bands of the dress.

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