Overview

Marilyn Monroe made history by standing over a subway grating in a white pleated halter dress designed by William Travilla. Hubert de Givenchy immortalized the Little Black Dress with a single opening scene in Breakfast at Tiffany's. A red nylon jacket signaled to audiences that James Dean was a Rebel Without a Cause. For more than a century, costume designers have left indelible impressions on moviegoers' minds. Yet until now, so little has been known about the designers themselves and their work to complement and enrich stories through fashion.

Creating the Illusion presents the history of fashion on film, showcasing not only classic moments from film favorites, but a host of untold stories about the creative talent working behind the scenes to dress the stars from the silent era to the present day. Among the book's sixty-five designer profiles are Clare West, Howard Greer, Adrian, Walter Plunkett, Travis Banton, Irene, Edith Head, Cecil Beaton, Bob Mackie, and Colleen Atwood. The designers' stories are set against the backdrop of Hollywood: how they collaborated with great movie stars and filmmakers; how they maneuvered within the studio system; and how they came to design clothing that remains iconic decades after its first appearance. The array of films discussed and showcased through photos spans more than one hundred years, from draping Rudolph Valentino in exotic "sheik" dress to the legendary costuming of Gone with the Wind, Alfred Hitchcock thrillers, Bonnie and Clyde, Reservoir Dogs, and beyond.

This gloriously illustrated volume includes candid photos of the designers at work, portraits and wardrobe tests of stars in costume, and designer sketches. Drawing from archival material and dozens of new interviews with award-winning designers, authors Jay Jorgensen and Donald L. Scoggins offer a highly informative, lavish, and entertaining history of Hollywood costume design.

About TCM:
Turner Classic Movies is the definitive resource for the greatest movies of all time. It engages, entertains, and enlightens to show how the entire spectrum of classic movies, movie history, and movie-making touches us all and influences how we think and live today.

ISBN-13

9780762456611

ISBN-10

0762456612

Weight

6.55 Pounds

Dimensions

10.38 x 1.50 x 12.25 In

List Price

$65.00

Edition

1st Edition

Format

Hardcover

Language

English

Pages

416 pages

Publisher

Running Press Adult

Published On

2015-10-06



View All Offers

Sort by:

Condition
Seller
Seller Comments
Price
Used, Very Good
Seller details
Half Price Books Inc
★★★★☆

Dallas, TX, USA

Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and ...
$56.99

 Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026

Used, Very Good
Seller details
3rd St. Books
★★★★★

Lees Summit, MO, USA

Very good, clean, tight condition. No external marks-usual internal EX-LIBRARY features. Jacket in...
$62.24

 Free delivery by: 03 Apr 2026


Bookstores.com relies on cookies to improve your experience.