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Collections

Gilbert Adrian
Woman's Ensemble (Dress and Bolero)1950

Not on view
Navy blue knee-length dress with tiered satin-finish ruffles across the bodice and diagonal layered bands along the hip, displayed on an invisible form
Designer
Gilbert Adrian
United States, active California, Los Angeles, 1903-1959
Design House
Adrian
United States, California, Los Angeles, founded 1942
Title
Woman's Ensemble (Dress and Bolero)
Place Made
United States, California
Date Made
1950
Medium
Rayon plain weave (crepe), silk plain weave (taffeta)
Dimensions
Length (a) Dress center back length): 36 3/4 in. (93.35 cm) Length (b) Bolero center back length): 13 1/4 in. (33.66 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Houston Rehrig
Accession Number
CR.69.55.5a-b
Classification
Costumes
Collecting Area
Costume and Textiles
Curatorial Notes

As the head costume designer for MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer) from 1928 to 1941, Adrian used dramatic proportions, luxurious materials, elegance, and wit, qualities for which he became renowned. His later work in high fashion exhibited this enduring signature style: in a collection ironically titled The Atomic 50s, Adrian featured textile swags and projectiles evoking mushroom clouds, as well as flounces that blasted off the garment’s surface.



(California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way," 2011-12)

Selected Bibliography
  • Kaplan, Wendy, ed. Living in a Modern Way: California Design, 1930-1965. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2013.
Selected Exhibition History
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 29, 2014 - July 6, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 29, 2014 - July 6, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 20, 2013 - June 3, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". March 20, 2013 - June 3, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". July 6, 2013 - September 29, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". July 6, 2013 - September 29, 2013
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". November 2, 2013 - February 9, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". November 2, 2013 - February 9, 2014
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". October 1, 2011 - June 3, 2012
  • California Design, 1930–1965: "Living in a Modern Way". October 1, 2011 - June 3, 2012