In this image by an unknown photographer, Shirley MacLaine tries on the gown that she will wear to the Academy Awards ceremony in 1959. But the real star of the shot is renowned costume designer Edith Head, who is holding a preliminary sketch of the dress. Over her career, Head won a record-breaking total of eight Academy Awards and was nominated for 35
The gown was made of espresso brown duchese satin, with a long moulded bodice, full bell skirt of unpressed pleats and matching pumps Illustration: Photograph: Bettmann/CorbisIllustration: Bettmann/Corbis
