Leonard Stanley Adrian: A Lifetime of Movie Glamour

Last updated: August 6, 2023


We looked at the top Celebrity Fashion Books and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Celebrity Fashion Book you should buy.

Product Details

In our analysis of 13 expert reviews, the Leonard Stanley Adrian: A Lifetime of Movie Glamour placed 6th when we looked at the top 6 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.

From The Manufacturer

From ruby slippers to fashion runways, Adrian: A Lifetime of Movie Glamour, Art and High Fashion is a visual celebration of the life and work of the man behind some of the most memorable fashions of Hollywood’s golden age. This book is a bright and vivacious look at the fashion, art and homes of one of the most celebrated fashion designers of the twentieth century. Adrian (1903-1959) designed costumes for over 150 Hollywood productions, including fabulous gowns worn by such iconic actresses as Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Judy Garland, and Katharine Hepburn. He then went on to found one of the most popular and influential fashion labels of the mid-twentieth century, Adrian, Ltd. He had a passion for art and interior design, as seen in his impeccably decorated homes, which he shared with his wife, Hollywood movie star Janet Gaynor, and his personal paintings and sketches. The man who created the famous ruby slippers worn in The Wizard of Oz was also the first American designer honored with a retrospective at the Smithsonian Institution, and his influence can still be felt on the runways in New York and Paris today. This is the first book on the famed Hollywood fashion and costume designer to be published with the cooperation of his family. With a foreword by the designer’s son, Robin, as well as a treasure trove of never-before-seen images and anecdotes taken from Adrian’s unpublished manuscript, this is the definitive book on the life of the legendary designer.

Expert Reviews


What reviewers liked

This book was published with the cooperation of the designer’s family.
A beautiful book. Very well done. Takes you through all of the stages of Adrians life and art. Absolutely enjoyed this book. The photographs are fantastic.
The most extensive book to date on Adrian (who successfully transitioned from film to fashion by 1941, opening a Beverly Hills salon the following year), the tome pays tribute to his fantastical MGM handiwork and offers a complete assessment of the career enjoyed by “Hollywood’s highest paid couturier,” as he was known in his heyday.

What reviewers didn't like

In addition to fashion, this book is heavy on personal effects such as paintings and art collections.
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