Isabel Jeans as Aunt Alicia in 'Gigi' Designed by Cecil Beaton

Two-piece dressing gown of silk taffeta, pale pink sleeveless under gown heavily gathered at the bodice; pale lavender silk taffeta floor-length robe embroidered at collar, cuff and front closure with cream thread in a floral motif, ornamented at cuffs and front closure with ecru hand embroidered lace, trimmed at bodice with four self covered and embroidered buttons; black velvet neck piece with black tulle puff at back; black satin hair ribbon with matching embroidered lace. (Two BERMAN'S labels sewn into the garment typed [ISABEL JEANS]).

Screen World"," 1959"," Daniel Blum"," Biblo & Tannen Booksellers & Publishers"," pg. 46

Isabel Jeans began her career as a singer on the London stage. In Hollywood, she became a muse for Alfred Hitchcock and appeared in three of his films. She was a courtly and elegant actress and most well known for her portrayal of the grand dame Aunt Alicia in “Gigi.”

“Gigi” was a Cinderella story, set in Paris at the turn of the 20th century and revolved around a school girl being groomed, taught etiquette and the charm to become courtesan by her Aunt Alicia. But Gigi doesn’t want to be a courtesan to her suitor because she falls in love with him and wants more. The film is considered to be the last great MGM musical.

Cecil Beaton was a man of many talents, being a photographer, artist, interior designer, writer, stage set, costume and lighting designer and film costume designer. His beautiful and detailed costumes for “Gigi” were considered one of the greatest contributions in the film and he won an Academy Award for best costume design. The internal finishing of this gown is truly couture work.