Orry-Kelly: The Unsung Hero of Old Hollywood Fashion

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When we think of iconic costumes from Hollywood’s Golden Age, names like Edith Head and Gilbert Adrian often come to mind. However, one name that deserves just as much recognition is Orry-Kelly, an Australian-born designer who left an indelible mark on the world of film and fashion.

Early Life and Journey to Hollywood
Born Orry George Kelly in 1897 in the small coastal town of Kiama, Australia, Orry-Kelly didn’t initially envision a career in fashion. His early passion was painting, but his life took a dramatic turn when he moved to New York in the 1920s. There, he worked as a window dresser and mural artist, honing his sense of aesthetics and creativity.In the late 1920s, Orry-Kelly moved to Los Angeles, where his talent for design caught the attention of film studios. This marked the beginning of a career that would see him become one of the most sought-after costume designers of his time.

Career and Collaborations with Hollywood’s Greatest Stars
During his career, Orry-Kelly worked for major studios such as Warner Bros., Universal, and 20th Century Fox, designing costumes for over 280 films. His creations featured in classics like Casablanca, My Fair Lady, and Some Like It Hot. Orry-Kelly’s designs were known for their elegance, sophistication, and an unparalleled ability to enhance a character’s persona.One of his most enduring collaborations was with Bette Davis. The two worked together on multiple films, and Orry-Kelly’s costumes played a crucial role in shaping Davis’s on-screen presence. His designs for Now, Voyager, with the iconic off-the-shoulder gown and dramatic silhouette, became a defining moment for Davis and cemented Orry-Kelly’s reputation as a master of his craft.Perhaps his most celebrated work came in Some Like It Hot. The dresses he created for Marilyn Monroe, especially the sheer, rhinestone-studded gown, epitomized glamour and boldness. Orry-Kelly’s ability to blend sensuality with sophistication made these costumes unforgettable.

Style and Legacy
Orry-Kelly was celebrated for his ability to accentuate the individuality of each actor. He had a deep understanding of how fabric, texture, and silhouette could transform a character on screen. Whether it was a sleek gown for a femme fatale or a tailored suit for a leading man, his designs seamlessly blended functionality with artistry.Despite his immense contributions to Hollywood, Orry-Kelly often worked behind the scenes, receiving less public recognition than his contemporaries. However, his peers in the industry deeply respected his talent, as evidenced by his three Academy Awards for Best Costume Design.In recent years, Orry-Kelly’s work has received renewed attention, thanks in part to exhibitions and documentaries. His autobiography, Women I’ve Undressed, published posthumously, offers a fascinating glimpse into his life and career, shedding light on his relationships with stars and his role in defining the glamour of Old Hollywood.
Orry-Kelly’s artistry shaped the visual language of Hollywood’s Golden Age, influencing fashion both on and off the screen. Though his name may not be as widely recognized as some of his peers, his legacy endures in the timeless elegance of his designs. Orry-Kelly was more than a costume designer; he was a storyteller who brought characters to life through fabric and imagination, making him a true unsung hero of Old Hollywood fashion.
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Orry-Kelly was one of Hollywood’s most iconic costume designers, known for his exceptional ability to enhance storytelling through fashion. With three Academy Awards to his name, he created timeless looks for stars like Bette Davis and Marilyn Monroe, leaving an indelible mark on the Golden Age of cinema. His designs not only defined glamour but also set standards for costume design in film history.

I look forward to your comments and fashion questions!❤

FashionQuestion
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I knew some actresses' names were mispronounced but loved watching this! Orry-Kelly always intrigued me. That red dress that Bette Davis wore in Jezebel was not seen in color but you could sense it ❤

SherryHill-ky
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I'm a huge fan of vintage film. When I see one on TCM, if the credits say: GOWNS by Orry-Kelly I'll watch it just to gog at the GORGEOUS frocks.

thaisstone
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Kay Francis looked good in everything.

bonnierobbins
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He made the lead lady look beautiful timeless classic style 🎉

kimsherlock
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Thoroughly enjoyed your video!!!
Giving us a so many images of his amazing work!…. Really appreciated you naming the movie each outfit was worn in.❤

MarieScolamiero
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We love the glamorous clothes worn in the old Hollywood films. His designs were gorgeous and so were the lucky actresses who wore them ....😍🤩💃❤️🤍💙

carolinejohnson
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AI narrator gets “Bette” Davis wrong every time. It’s the giveaway that it is AI. Try writing it as “Betty.” I enjoy your channel otherwise.

rosezingleman
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Orry-Kelly "unsung hero"? He was incredibly successful; his name was easy to remember, everyone would stay to read the credits for acclaimed movies in the 50's and 60's, so we saw his name in print many times. Even "I Love Lucy" did an episode using his fame, his name recognition and his designs in the story line!
As for his homosexuality, he was not alone in Hollywood, he just wasn't protected by the studios, as so many gay actors were!. The celebrity Gossip Columnists loved scandals, even the whiff of the "hint of mint" archly inferred could ruin someone's career, even though gay directors, actors, screen writers commonly met at George Cukor's famously lavish gay parties. The same estate where the famous couple Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn lived in a Cottage. The privacy of the estate allowed them to be themselves casually and comfortably, dating anyone they wished.

leefi
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Loved the costumes but wasn't ware of the designer who made them. Such a talented person.

suzit
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Thanks! So informative! "Bette" pronounced Bet-tee. The final e is not silent.

perrykroegerness
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Oh, to have been Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Joan Crawford, or any number of actresses lucky to have been dressed bt Orry-Kelly. They weren't just costum, they were actresses themselves.

nancydemoss
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Enjoyed your video however #WilliamTravilla was the designer for #TheSevenYearItch. #AunitieMame, #TheGreatLie, and #IrmalaDouce costumes were amazing ….all designed by #OrryKelly #TCMParty

dianefudge
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Bette Davis's first name is pronounced "Betty." This was an interesting video, but when you mispronounce such a well known name it makes me question all the facts given in the video.

JenGretaCart
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Jezebel 😅
He designed the red dress in perfect period form .
The red dress was a part of the main script
Showing her defiance, wearing red was seen as uncouth.
To wear inappropriate attire for A LADY of wealth.

kimsherlock
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Bette Davis's first name is pronounced "Betty" NOT "Bet", come on, you should know this!

jsio
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Orry-Kelly is one of classic Hollywood's great designers, deserving of a more nuanced and knowledgeable presentation. He dressed Bette Davis in some of her classic roles, so it's a bit jarring to hear her name mispronounced. That said, this acknowledgement of his work is better than no acknowledgement. P.s., endless still shots of actresses in his clothes don't do justice to their three dimensional fluidity. They're made to be seen in movement and their complexity can seem excessive in the stills.

johnoden
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Bette is pronounced as Betty, not Beth !

azabujuban-hito-dake
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I really hate AI narration. Pay a human dammit and, have someone check the pronunciation and grammar.

DeeM
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Another AI ptoduct.
Some facts are true
Some facts are not.
EXAMPLE: I just watched the very smart movie HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE --- All the dresses were wonderful, chic, and stunning. I looked up the costume designer: Willam Travilla
Travilla designed the iconic white dress in THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH as well as the Pink Satin Perfection Dress in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES --- These are 2 of the most recognized dresses in our history!!!

suemarks
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