Her striking performance in A Place In The Sun
Elizabeth also became very good friends with Edith Head, who designed the costumes for her character, Angela Vickers. The challenge of costuming George Steven’s A Place In The Sun (1951) was that it was not going to be released for more than a year from the time Edith’s designs would be completed. Edith believed that the New Look would survive as a style trend during that time, so she felt comfortable creating full skirts for Liz. She kept details on all of the clothing including accessories, collars, and sleeves to a minimum, because those were the trends that she felt she couldn’t predict.
But Edith needn’t have worried too much about predicting the fashion trends to ensure that A Place In The Sun wouldn’t look dated upon its release. In 1951, it was Elizabeth Taylor’s appearance in that film that actually set the trends. Edith credited Elizabeth with helping her understand the teenage point of view on fashion. With the advent of blue jeans for day and Dior’s New Look for evening, the rules had changed for young people. The fittings for Taylor proved lively and enjoyable for Edith. Elizabeth was totally in sync with the proposed designs. It must have also helped that Elizabeth had a beautiful hourglass figure and she kept trying to persuade Edith into making the waistline of the dresses as tiny as possible.
When Angela first appears in the film (the last two images above), she is in a white satin dance dress with Boas bands across the bodice and hip, and a petticoat of tulle underneath, and she wears a white mink stole on top. Her privileged position is established.
Seductive and innocent. This one is one of the two most important gowns in the movie, copied by manufacturers throughout the country and that caused a sensation among the prom-going young ladies that year and throughout the entire decade. A pale yellow strapless gown with fitted boned bodice of ruched ivory tulle over yellow taffeta, with small velvet flowers blooming at the bustier. The skirt was made of several layers of cream tulle over a yellow taffeta underskirt, the first layer studded with scattered velvet violets. This dress is still considered one of the most iconic dresses of the Golden Age of Hollywood.
This is the other evening dress, in black velvet encrusted with pearl beads that were laced into ribbon bands cross the bust. Worn with elbow-length black gloves and white mink stole.
With the day-time outfits, Edith Head perfectly depicted the look of carefree 1950s teenagers holidaying on Lake Tahoe, reflecting fashion-conscious high society teenagers. Elizabeth’s crisp white sleeveless shirt dress she wears in the top photo in the set above was a fresh and youthful take on Dior’s New Look.
In a bodice and stole of heavy white lace with double circular skirt of sheer white organdy. And a beautiful belted coat to go with the rest of the outfit.
“All my teachers, because I never had an acting lesson in my life, were the people I acted with, the people I was directed by, the experience of my life one-on-one with the people on the set and that is how I learned whatever was my technique. It was purely instinctive.” Elizabeth Taylor had a mesmerising beauty, made a great impact on fashion and style, she had range, instinct, was very natural. A Place In The Sun brought all these qualities to light. A film that has endured the test of time. Just as Elizabeth has and will continue to do.
images: stills from the movie, captured by me; kindly link back to classiq if you use any of these images; production credits
sources: Edith Head: The Fifty Year Career of Hollywood’s Greatest Costume Designer by Jay Jorgensen and the special features on the dvd A Place In The Sun
I’m a massive Elizabeth Taylor fan so for once, I have seen this movie! All the outfits are so beautiful that it’s hard to pick a favourite but I keep scrolling up to take a closer look at the detailing in the dress in the second set of pictures… it’s so intricate and delicate!
Dear Ada, since I didn’t have the chance to tell you before, I wish you a very happy New Year! I’m catching up with your posts and I simply loved the Linda Evangelista’s editorial…and I really like the way you guide us to iconic movies and their stunning costumes…thank you for another great post!
Such an interesting post! To be honest I know very little about the late Taylor and did not pay too much notice about her status as a style icon until the auctions of her clothes and jewellery.
Ada, I think this is one of your most beautiful posts so far. I so enjoyed reading it and viewing the photos, I didn’t want it to end!
I have never watched A Place in the Sun, but seeing those pictures and the elegance that comes of from them, I think I will see this movie soon. Elizabeth Taylor was one of a kind. xoxo
Loved getting a closer look at that dress of white violets! That film is such a classic and Elizabeth was such an original gorgeous beauty!
xo Mary Jo
Elizabeth Taylor was esp. beautiful in this film and Edith Head was so amazing at what she did.
Love the pics!!
xx
wonderfully written, Ada! love this movie. i have watched it 4 times
timeless
big hug
What a gorgeous post, Ada! The photos are just captivating! I have never seen this film but will definitely add it to my list. You always inspire me
xoxo
Dawn is absolutely right, you always inspire Ada
Yet again these stills are gorgeous, or whats on it. Elizabeth looks meshmerizing, she has a beautiful figure. I love the sweetheart necklines of the dresses and now I’m very curious about this movie.
Such stunning outfits – i wish we were all still so elegant today – she was so very beautiful xx
http://fashionandfrank.blogspot.com/
Seriously classic! Every one of her outfits here are beautiful and stand the test of time!
Oh Ada, one of my Top 10 movies!! I’ve seen it countless times and still have it taped on video (that’s before dvd, cd, and downloads!)… Just Adore it… Started a massive crush on Montgomery Clift for me (which meant that every boy I met had to look like him, haha) and of course Elizabeth Taylor – she was just stunning in this one! Even had my haircut short like hers for a while. And the collaboration with Edith Head – sublime…. (I’m going to get this book!)…You know everytime I watch a movie even now, if I haven’t seen it before, (there are a handful!) I know I will enjoy them visually if they have credits to the dress designer and/or hair stylist…especially Edith Head and Adrian.
Loved the read.
xx
She had grace, and she lived a full life. With her whole heart. That is a role model, if anything!
How amazing are all these dresses!!! I actually saw this movie…maybe because I’m a biiiig fan of Elizabeth Taylor…and I loved it. For me, she will always remain one of the most beautiful women ever.
I love your Passion for History&Fashion! You definitely stand out! Great Post!!)
XO,
Yelena
glamthings.com
Wow Ada! I love how you talked about her dress and her style. I must see this movie!
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