Costume woman at home

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34128, 14 April 1976, Page 14

Costume woman at home

The wardrobe designer for “The Man Who Would be King,” Edith Head (above) lives in an early California ranch house in Beverley Hills, which is surrounded by five acres of

luxuriant plants and trees. She and her husband, the Oscar-winning art director Wiard Ihnen, have a tennis court and swimming pool and what used to be the servants’ cottage is now Wiard’s office and studio. The house was built in 1929 and when Edith and Wiard moved in 23 years ago, they did extensive remodelling. There are two master suites (both have two bedrooms, two baths, and dressing-rooms), living-room, dining-room, kitchen, den and what they call the “outdoor” living room and dining area. Edith, an internationally famous costume designer, is as celebrated in her own right as the motion picture superstars who wear her creations. She has won eight Academy Awards and has more Academy nominations (33) than any other designer for motion pictures. “I love French Provincial furniture,” says Edith. “Wiard had my bedroom furniture specially made for me. This is where I do my work. I have to have a lot of room and I spread the designs all over the floor and bed.” The rooster is an Italian piece Wiard had made into a lamp for Edith.