I snapped this photo in the lounge at the Country House of the Motion Picture and Television Fund in Woodland Hills– the “Old Actor’s Home.” It’s an original oil painting of famed costume designer Edith Head. The funny thing is, when I first walked past it, it was night and the lighting was low and from a short distance I thought it was a painting of someone with an Afro, with a halo of light behind the head. I was intrigued, so I got closer and that’s when I found out it wasn’t Cleopatra Jones or Foxy Brown, but Edith Head! Such a strange pose, and what a hat– is this a pillbox hat? If so, that’s a helluva pillbox– must be the large “Valley of the Dolls” variety.
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Allee Willis
This is KILLER! Edith Head was THE Hollywood fashion designer of the 20th Century. She had such a look. All the white touches in this photo absolutely kill me. The hat is so perfect I could die. I’m sure she even planned for the shadow under it as it frames those little bangs of hers so exquisitely and makes it look like they extend around her head. I’d kill to get a closer look at that necklace too. Looks like she has matching cufflinks.
Nessa
Hehe, I love Edith Head and this painting is fantastic! I’ve always envied her totally unique sense of style. Though, I gotta say her hat reminds me of the one Speedy Alkaseltzer wears, hehe.
Allee Willis
That’s right… Speedy did it first.
k2dtw
LOL…so funny… do you think Edith Head designed for Speedy??
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxYRhnBzp8U
k2dtw
OMG…Fabulous.. With gloves of course, perfectly accessorised.
What is that killer necklace???…
I love Edith Head… and all the history and work of the brilliant costume designers in Hollywood…
Wonder who did the portrait??… Was the Country House having a event??
Douglas Wood
Not sure who did the portrait– it was hard to read the signature.
No, they weren’t having an event– I’m over there because I teach an improv class (since 2005) for the senior citizens at the Motion Picture and TV Fund once a week, as a volunteer. I’m also directing a one-night reading of a play at the Writers Guild that one of my “students” (he’s 82) wrote.
Allee Willis
That’s FANTASTIC!! So great that you do that.
I’m pretty sure you’ve seen the video I made in 2009 with Jerrie Thill, a 91-year-old female drummer on an oxygen tank. I had never been good with old people but I went to a gig of hers and loved her and, originally because of my love for kitsch, asked her to do a video with me. I had a complete ball and it completely changed my attitude about aging. Jerrie passed away a few months ago but she was mentally spry all the way to the end. The great thing about being an artist, a real artist, is that your passion keeps you going and you don’t feel like curling up and disappearing when you get into your 80s, 90s (and beyond). I think it’s fantastic that you teach a senior citizens improv class at the Motion Picture and TV Fund and that you’re directing one of your students plays. Is it being put on there?
k2dtw
How wonderful and generous of you… I hope it’s a great experience to be able to share their talents and their lives..
Douglas Wood
I’m sure I get more out of the experience than they do– they’re an inspiration to me. And it’s true what they say, “Ninety is the new seventy.”