Irene Lentz
This from Artsellers.com
Irene Lentz - Worked for seven years, from 1942, as executive costume designer for MGM, succeeding Adrian. During that time Irene designed for over 50 films, as well as supervising the personal wardrobes of top stars. She became world-famous for her “soufflé creations,” but is probably best remembered for Lana Turner’s outfits in THE POSTMAN ALWAYS RINGS TWICE (1946), notably Turner’s entrance costume of turban, midriff blouse and “hot pants” (the first time the latter had been worn on screen).
Irene was married to screenwriter Eliot Gibbons, brother of Cedric Gibbons, the supervising art director of MGM (whose influence helped land Irene there after she had been discovered by his wife, Dolores Del Rio). When her contract with MGM ended, she opened her own fashion house and was the first leading costume designer to have boutiques inside department stores throughout the US. She committed suicide in 1962.
Nominated for Costume Design (Black & White) 1948: B.F.’S DAUGHTER
Nominated for Costume Design (Color) 1960: MIDNIGHT LACE
There is a wonderful biography of Irene at Film Referenc, written by John E. Mitchell.
Wonderful pictures of the clothes she designed for Doris Day are on DorisDay.net
Irene’s Scrapbook:
The Irene scrapbooks span the years 1932–1962 (bulk 1940s) and encompass approximately 7 linear feet. The collection consists of seven scrapbooks.
Gift of Phyllis Goldberg, 1970.
Collection at the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences
Wikipedia has a very good entry on Irene.
The Knickerbocker Hotel where Irene took her life.
I would have liked very much to have met Irene, a truly gifted artist. A shameful reminder to never let egotism take control of our lives. There are alot of other, more important things in life than us.
