Edith Head

Actress Susan Claassen as Edith Head in A Conversation With Edith Head.

Photo Credit: Tim Fuller

Edith Head (October 28, 1897-October 24, 1981), the famous American costume designer and winner of eight Academy Awards, was a tremendous influence on fashion when I was growing up. Her designs set worldwide trends, evident even in the designs from famous French houses. I recall Dior designs looking so like Edith Head's movie costumes, especially his suits. So you can imagine the sweet nostalgia I felt when I read Everett Evans' interview with Miss Head (Getting Inside Her Head.) Evans actually interviewed actress Susan Claassen who is appearing in A Conversation With Edith Head at Theater LaB Houston. But Claassen is Edith Head. As I look at the photo above, I am not sure if it's actress or designer. As Evans stated in his article, "Susan Claassen has been channeling Head..." (O.K., Annie, don't touch that one!)

Which reminds me of the best graffito I've ever read. It was neatly written on the wall of the first-class lavatory on a flight from Portland, Oregon to Houston, Texas: "Edith Head gives great wardrobe."

Now off to score some tickets!