Rating: 
Summary: A terrific book!
Review: This is a great book that showcases the talents of MGM fashion designer Gilbert Adrian. Here we read about his early days as a designer and his successful tenure at MGM during its glory years, 1928-1941. The book initially begins with the birth of MGM and how Adrian's arrival helped to transform the fledgling studio's wardrobe department into the epitome of Hollywood style and sophistication. There are in depth chapters on Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford and Norma Shearer, three of MGM's biggest stars. There are detailed descriptions and sketches of the clothes they wore in some of their best known films including Garbo's "Camille", Crawford's "Letty Lynton" and Shearer's "Marie Antoinette". There is also an entire chapter devoted to the costumes that were designed for the 1939 hit "The Women". The final chapter describes Adrian's last days at MGM before embarking on other successful endeavors. This is a terrific book filled with rare sketches and numerous photos of other major MGM stars including Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn and Rosalind Russell. The sole focus of this book is strictly on the women's fashions at MGM, but there are also photos of Adrian and pictures of stars like John Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas and Rudolph Valentino posing with their leading ladies. Howard Gutner did an excellent job of compiling these wonderful photos and informative descriptions. This is a superb book and a recommended purchase!
Rating:
Summary: A Memorable Journey
Review: This is an exceptional book that covers an amazing era in Hollywood films. The book obviously has been extensively researched and is extremely well written. The author has gone to great lengths to bring the costumes of Adrian alive, both in the text and in the extraordinary photographs. It is a book that should be read by those interested in costume design for film, Hollywood of the twenties and thirties, and in particular, the unique talent of Adrian. Adrian set a standard in costume design for film that, arguably, has not been matched, and the author has done him a great service with this beautiful book.
Rating:
Summary: A Memorable Journey
Review: This is an exceptional book that covers an amazing era in Hollywood films. The book obviously has been extensively researched and is extremely well written. The author has gone to great lengths to bring the costumes of Adrian alive, both in the text and in the extraordinary photographs. It is a book that should be read by those interested in costume design for film, Hollywood of the twenties and thirties, and in particular, the unique talent of Adrian. Adrian set a standard in costume design for film that, arguably, has not been matched, and the author has done him a great service with this beautiful book.
Rating: 
Summary: BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO A MASTER CRAFTSMAN.
Review: To be honest, I haven't actually read this book yet. Since the previous reviewers/commentators have covered all the bases regarding this volume let me just say that GOWNS BY ADRIAN is a beautiful book with many lovely photos that have been lovingly reproduced (no dupey quality here!).My only regret - and the reason for the 4 star rating - is that the majority of the photos are of Adrian's "modern time" creations. I would have loved to have seen more data/pictures from his costume pictures. To be sure MARIE ANTOINETTE is hi-lighted -- but it would have been terrific to have seen his splendid gowns for the other costume epics he created while at MGM.
Rating:
Summary: BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE TO A MASTER CRAFTSMAN.
Review: To be honest, I haven't actually read this book yet. Since the previous reviewers/commentators have covered all the bases regarding this volume let me just say that GOWNS BY ADRIAN is a beautiful book with many lovely photos that have been lovingly reproduced (no dupey quality here!). My only regret - and the reason for the 4 star rating - is that the majority of the photos are of Adrian's "modern time" creations. I would have loved to have seen more data/pictures from his costume pictures. To be sure MARIE ANTOINETTE is hi-lighted -- but it would have been terrific to have seen his splendid gowns for the other costume epics he created while at MGM.
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