Inspirations - the Spirit of Edith Head Lives On!

What inspires you to sew?  Do you get inspired by people you meet, what you see in a magazine or catalog, or maybe, just looking through pattern catalogs at the fabric store?  I get inspired by any, and all of these and then some. My imagination is triggered by garments other people have created and shown on the internet; also  in movies, and television programs. 

Edith Head, a well-known costume designer, created most of her designs in the 1930's- 1960's.  She received many awards, wrote books, newspaper columns and even designed sewing patterns for Advance, and Vogue among others.  Her designs have inspired me mainly through her work for movies.  For example, I adored the wardrobe she designed for Tippi Hedron in the movie "Marnie".  From tragic thief to sophisticated matron, her clothing choices were terrific.  In one scene, she is wearing a fitted charcoal gray herringbone suit and carrying a bright yellow pocketbook.  In another, she is shown wearing a pale green suede suit with a boxy jacket and pencil skirt ; yet another, she is wearing a beautiful soft, Grecian-inspired gown for a house party.  There are many other examples of wonderful, wearable designs in this one movie alone.  Ironically, the designs were created to put the movie theme at forefront rather than the clothing itself.

Ms. Head is also credited with creating that iconic bias-cut silk and lace slip Elizabeth  Taylor wore so smashingly in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof".

 You might want to check out other costumes created for Elizabeth Taylor in the movie "Elephant Walk" on http://youtube.com.  The gowns, the negligees, even the everyday shirtwaists all offer ideas to incorporate in your own sewing.