Famous for his bold, dramatic styles, Gilbert Adrian became MGM Studios' top designer during the 30s aand 40s. He caused a fashion frenzy by the introduction of shoulder pads, and created the most glamorous clothes in the world for the likes of Joan Crawford, Marlene Dietrich, Jean Harlow and Norma Shearer. He also designed the legendary ruby slippers Dorothy wore in The Wizard Of Oz. His favourite "model", however, was Greta Garbo.
Adrian left the "studio system" in 1941 to set up his own independent fashion house, saying:
"It was because of Garbo that I left MGM. In her last picture they wanted to make her a sweater girl, a real American type. I said, 'When the glamour ends for Garbo, it also ends for me. She has created a type. If you destroy that illusion, you destroy her.' When Garbo walked out of the studio, glamour went with her, and so did I."
Gilbert Adrian (Adrian Adolph Greenberg, 3rd March 1903 — 13th September 1959)
