The Most Famous Costume Designer: Reviewing Edith Head's Career through a Contractual Lens

Abstract

ABSTRACT:Edith Head, possibly Hollywood's most iconic costume designer, won a record eight Oscar statuettes for Best Costume Design. Despite her popularity, Head has also sparked controversy; many detractors question her talent as a designer by arguing that her success rested merely on her self-promotional efforts rather than her work inside the wardrobe department. This article explores Head's career vis-à-vis the discourses surrounding her public persona to understand how she constructed her image as Hollywood's most famous costume designer, surviving for over five decades in an industry fraught with constant economic and political turmoil. In doing so, this article will shed light on the activities assigned to her as head of costume during and after the studio era.