By Liza Foreman
Loretta Young was considered to be one of the most fashionable stars of
her time. “Glamour is something you can’t bear to be without once you are
used to it,” she once said. And then: "Every best-dressed woman keeps some
of her gowns for years. She's learned that fashion-wisdom is compounded of
knowledge, taste, confidence and poise."
Indeed. Now on display at The Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles is a selection
from her wardrobe, including some of her favorite handbags – there are designs
from Morabito and Gucci among others - hats from a diversity of labels,
including Lydia and Lilly Sachet, and glam outfits from the time, like the
patterned dress made by her husband, the costume designer Jean Louis, which she
wore to The White House.
The
fashion side of the Hollywood actress, who was dubbed the best dressed actress
in America, is just one part of “Loretta Young: Hollywood Legend,” an
exhibition which opened this week to mark the 100th anniversary of the film star’s
life.
The
most comprehensive collection of authentic Hollywood memorabilia ever assembled
on Young - the first actress to win both an Oscar and an Emmy – is on display.
Old
Hollywood turned out earlier this week to view the exhibition in the former Max
Factor building - Young was the first Max Factor model. The museum also houses an
ecclectic collection of Hollywood memorabilia from "The Rat Pack" to "Moulin Rouge."
Young’s
career spanned seven decades. She began as a child ingénue during the Silent
Era and became a romantic leading lady during Hollywood’s Golden Age, before
moving onto television as the host of her own series "The Loretta Young Show," on
NBC which further enhanced her reputation as a glamorous star.
As well as showcasing highlights from her film career, the exhibition
also explores her personal life, including love letters from Spencer Tracy and
Clark Gable – with whom she had an illicit child which she claimed she had
adopted to avoid a scandal.
The collection includes items gathered from family, friends and private
collectors, including scores of photos of Young and her colleagues, friends and
family, costumes and artifacts from her films.
The exhibition runs until April
28th at The Hollywood Museum in the Max Factor Building at 1660 N. Highland
Ave. at Hollywood Blvd.
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