Tulle Strapless Gown, Silk Flowers, by Adrian, Known as the "Grown-Up Little Colonel Dress"

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Of grey tulle with fitted bodice overlaid with corded tulle, and with tulle draping around the bodice that is edged with tulle ruffles and rose and lilac silk flowers, and with six tiers of ruffles on the floor-length skirt that are trimmed with further silk flowers. The gown, designed by famed couturier Adrian who had designed all the elaborate costumes in "The Wizard of Oz", was a favorite of Shirley Temple in the mid-1940s for evening events. A film magazine of the time described it as "Adrian dreamed up a misty dress of grey and blue net over taffeta...and sprinkled it with posies." Included with the dress is a color transparency of Shirley wearing the gown, and another vintage black and white photograph. This extremely rare and important gown was designed by Adrian (Adrian Adolph Greenberg, 1902-1959), a couture designer of the elite, first as lead costumer at MGM from 1928-1941 where he designed costumes for more than 100 films, the most noted being "The Wizard of Oz" including the famous ruby slippers; and then, as head of his own couture salon on the Sunset Strip where important celebrities would visit to have a gown designed, draped and fitted. His work is revered by couture collectors and featured in museums. A custom gown for Shirley Temple was homage to her importance in the industry. This gown is a true work of art, an apt interpretation of her famous childhood gown from "The Little Colonel" now transformed into a unique fashion statement for a sophisticated woman.