A comparison of four stage and motion picture productions costumes designed by Irene Sharaff.

Abstract

Irene Sharaff was one of the most important costume designers in the period 1933-1976. She created a prodigious number of costume designs for numerous performance events including seventy-three stage, thirty-two film, eighteen ballet and three television productions. Because of her creative talents, her ability to persuade and her tenacious personality, Irene Sharaff was able to set precedents and establish procedures in costume design which are today considered routine. In recognition of her talents, Sharaff received eight Antoinette Perry nominations, one Antoinette Perry Award, two Donaldson Awards, nineteen Academy Award nominations and five Oscars. Ms. Sharaff designed the costumes for both the Broadway and the motion picture presentations of four productions: The King and I, West Side Story, Flower Drum Song and Funny Girl. She received the critical acclaim for all four productions. This study is a comparison of the methods and techniques Ms. Sharaff used to design these productions. Through a careful study of the available literature, still pictures and interviews, a description of the costumes used for each presentation in each medium is detailed. Modifications in the design, fabric or construction of specific costumes are compared. If any alteration was made, the reason for that alteration is determined. Sharaff is an exceptionally creative artist. Her greatest strength is perhaps her attention to period and stylistic detail. From her earliest designs to her most recent creations, Sharaff has been lauded for creating designs which were correct in appropriateness in style and period. Her perseverance in achieving perfection enabled her to dominate the field of costume design for more than forty years.