The Concluding Chapter of Crawford

Joan Crawford Film Wardrobe

"Dancing Lady"

Adrian-designed crème silk satin wedding gown from "Dancing Lady."
This gown sold at auction on June 11th, 2010 for $2,750.00.

Description from auction:
"Joan Crawford Adrian-designed crème silk satin wedding gown from Dancing Lady. (MGM, 1933) This full length crème satin gown was designed by Adrian and worn by the character "Janie Barlow" portrayed by actor Joan Crawford in the 1933 motion picture Dancing Lady starring Clark Gable. The gown is in excellent condition with the original labels; one handwritten "A-109" in the skirt, the other "V-5" near the collar. This is the first time Fred Astaire appears on screen portraying himself and dancing with Joan Crawford."

"Mannequin"

Adrian-designed dance costume from "Mannequin".
This costume sold at auction on April 11th, 2014 for $3,840.00.

Description from auction:
"A dance costume worn by Joan Crawford in Mannequin (MGM, 1937). The costume comprises a sleeveless bodice with a peplum covered with solid jet-like and gold tone sequins, pleated tulle embellished with sequins to the shoulder, and a pair of sequin-covered dance pants. Costume design by Adrian. The bodice is inscribed "Pat Denise," indicating that the costume may have been used in an additional production. Pat Denise, also known under the Russian pseudonym Alexandra Denisova, was a dancer with a career in Hollywood that began in the 1940s. Accompanied by a black and white studio image of Crawford.
Previously exhibited at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas and at The Sharon Landa Gallery in Hollywood, California, 1971. PROVENANCE "M-G-M Auction After Sale," David Weisz Co., Los Angeles, 1970 From the Collection of Glenn Brown"

"The Women"

The Adrian-designed gold and silver skirt Joan wore in her final scene in the film.
This skirt was sold at auction on June 22nd, 2006 for $2,880.00.

Description from auction:
"A dazzling full-length skirt designed by Adrian, the skirt of flesh-colored cotton encrusted all over with rows of gold and silver sequins, with a deep boned corset waistband -- made for Joan Crawford as Crystal Allen in the 1939 M.G.M. film The Women; accompanied by a silver v-shaped waistband encrusted with vari-shaped rhinestones."

"When Ladies Meet"

This dress sold at auction on November 25th, 2013 for $3,125.00.

Description from auction:
"A Joan Crawford dress from When Ladies Meet (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1941).
Comprising an ankle-length blue cotton gingham dress with cream-colored shoulders, collar and sleeves; a cream-colored cotton apron with blue gingham detail on the pocket, bearing an MGM cleaning tag; and a blue gingham and cream-colored cotton belt. Accompanied by a copy of the film. Provenance: Keystone Entertainment/Tristar Business Affairs.

"Mildred Pierce" Polka Dot Dress

Description from auction:
"Warner Bros., 1945. Three-quarter length long-sleeved rayon dress, originally white with polka dots but now overdyed to ecru, featuring square neckline accented with bows on either side, snap and hook-and-eye closures down the back of the dress and at the cuffs. Inscription in black marker on the interior reads: "TBS / 209," and a thin "Warner Bros., Pictures, Inc." label along the back closure inscribed in black ink, "-B- 2nd dress / 18905-638." Lacking original tie belt (brown and cream grosgrain belt supplied). Accompanied by a copy of the film."

This dress sold at auction on November 25th, 2013 for $13,000. (Not including buyer's premium)

"Mildred Pierce" Waitress

Warner Bros., 1945. Blue and white checked gingham waitress uniform with ivory collar and cuffs, and simple cloth apron. Bears the internal label "WARNER BROS. PICTURES, INC./ A 18865-638" and "CRAWFORD. J." written in fountain pen on zipper lining. Gingham cleavage insert has been removed. Worn by Joan Crawford as "Mildred" in her first job to support her two girls after her divorce in Mildred Pierce."

This uniform was sold at auction on June 18th, 2011 for $22,500.00.

"Mildred Pierce" White Apron

"Warner Bros., 1945. White linen apron on a long sash, to tie in the back. Bearing a red-lettered Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc. label inscribed in black ink, "18864# 1 - 638 / 18864 - 638." Also inscribed in black ink, "TBS." Accompanied by a copy of the film.
Crawford wears this apron over her waitress uniform early in the film, while working in the restaurant."

This apron sold at auction on November 25th, 2013 for $1,900. (Not including Buyer's premium)

"Possessed"

Adrian-Designed Silk Suit. This suit sold at auction on November 25th, 2013 for $3,800.00 (Not including buyer's premium)

Description from auction:
"Warner Bros., 1947. Chocolate brown silk jacket with inset stripes, front pockets and a single gilt metal button, bearing a dark brown Adrian Custom label. Together with a matching chocolate brown silk skirt. Accompanied by a copy of the film. Crawford, playing a schizophrenic woman named Louise Howell, wears this suit during her wedding to Raymond Massey's character Dean Graham. Howell marries Graham though she is still obsessed with her former lover, played by Van Heflin."

"Harriet Craig"

Pink & Grey Checkered Dress. This dress sold at auction on June 18th, 2011 for $4,000.00 (Not including buyer's premium)

Description from auction:
"Joan Crawford "Harriet Craig” pink and grey dress from Harriet Craig. (Columbia, 1950) Pink and grey checked day dress with three quarter length sleeves and bow at neck. Columbia label handwritten “Joan Crawford” and Columbia cleaning tag. Exhibits a hole in skirt. Worn by Joan Crawford as “Harriet Craig” in the scene where she visits her mother in the nursing home in Harriet Craig."

"Torch Song"

Helen Rose-Designed Costume. This costume sold at auction on April 11th, 2014 for $5,440.00.

Description from auction:
"A costume worn by Joan Crawford while performing "Two-Faced Woman" in black face in Torch Song (MGM, 1953).
The costume comprises a teal sequin-covered leotard with rhinestone and artificial crystal droplets embellishing the left cuff and collar with a multi-layer tulle skirt with sequin embellishment. A bias label in the leotard reads "1631 Joan Crawford." Costume design by Helen Rose. Accompanied by a pair of studio sea foam rhinestone embellished fishnet stockings with an MGM cleaning tag that may or may not be original to the costume and three black and white studio images. Previously exhibited at The Sharon Landa Gallery in Hollywood, California, 1971. PROVENANCE "M-G-M Auction After Sale," David Weisz Co., Los Angeles, 1970 From the Collection of Glenn Brown"

"Queen Bee"

Jean Louis-designed gown. This gown sold at auction on December 14th, 2002 for $5,377.00. (Including buyer's premium.)

"The Best of Everything"
Adele Palmer-Designed Knit Blouse. This blouse sold at auction on December 6th, 2006 for $856.00

Description from auction:
"A grey knit blouse top with lace ruffle trim at the shoulders and neckline, worn by Joan Crawford in her role as Amanda Farrow in the 1959 film The Best of Everything. Created by costume designer Adele Palmer, a sewn-in studio wardrobe label on the inside lining reads, "20th Century Fox, F-09, J. Crawford." In fine condition. This costume is from the prestigious collection of Debbie Reynolds and is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Debbie Reynolds and Darren Julien of Julien Entertainment.

"Strait-Jacket"
Floral-Print Dress. This dress sold at auction on June 14th, 2009 for $5,185.00 (Including buyer's premium)
Description from auction:
"A Joan Crawford dress from "Straight Jacket"
Columbia, 1964. Made of gray, black, and white floral-printed silk with a scoop neck, capped sleeves, and a self-belt; a dry cleaning tag reading "Col 7135" is stapled to inside lining; worn throughout film by Crawford as she portrayed the sensitive axe murderer, 'Lucy Harbin,' in this all-out camp fest. Included is a reprinted black and white image of Joan wearing the dress."