Costume drama: Diana Vreeland’s ‘Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design’

This article examines the legacy of Diana Vreeland’s 1974 exhibition ‘Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design’ for contemporary curatorial approaches to Hollywood costume exhibitions. Staged during her time as a Special Consultant at the Costume Institute, this was the first blockbuster exhibition of Hollywood costume held in a major museum. Alongside exploring its historical significance, I argue that this exhibition offers particular insights into Vreeland’s body of work, articulating a synergy between curator and subject matter. To illustrate the ongoing influence of ‘Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design’, I explore a contemporary curatorial project, ‘Costumes from the Golden Age of Hollywood’, which has direct and indirect connections to Vreeland’s exhibition.