“ADRIAN: THE ART OF HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR ” - 10/19/2026 (162)

EPISODE 162 -  “ADRIAN: THE ART OF HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR ” - 10/19/2026 

What do Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Joan Crawford’s legendary shoulder pads, and some of the most glamorous gowns ever seen on the silver screen have in common? One man: Adrian! This week on From Beneath the Hollywood Sign, we celebrate the extraordinary life and career of Gilbert Adrian, the brilliant costume designer who helped define the look of Hollywood’s Golden Age. From dressing such legendary stars as Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Jean Harlow, and Judy Garland to creating some of the most unforgettable costumes in movie history, Adrian was more than a designer—he was a visionary who understood the power of fashion to create a star, define a character, and captivate an audience. Join us as we explore the artistry, imagination, and fascinating personal story of the man whose creations continue to influence fashion nearly a century later. It's a stylish journey through Hollywood history you won't want to miss!

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

Adrian: A Lifetime of Movie Glamour, Art and High Fashion (2019), by Leonard Stanley and Mark A. Vieira;

Gowns by Adrian: The MGM years 1928-1941 by Howard Gunter

“Adrian Talks of Gowns--and of Goats; An interview with the Hollywood designer running the gamut from art to animals,”May 27, 1945, by Helen Markel, New York Times;

“Adrian, Whose Elegant Styles Were Movie Scene-Stealers,” May 17, 2002, by Grace Glueck, New York Times;

“Fashion Designer Gilbert Adrian Dies: Cerebral Hemorrhage Saturday Fatal to Noted Hollywood Stylist,” September 14, 1959,  New York Times;

“Smithsonian Unearths 42 Adrian Designs,” July 2, 1978, by Karen de Vim, New York Times;

The Adrian by Terry Ann Gordon, Costume Designers Guild (June 26, 2023)

wikipedia.com;