Today's wedding gown is one that will be recognizable to many. It is from John Ford's The Quiet Man (1952). Worn by Maureen O'Hara, this iconic lace gown was designed by Adele Palmer, the Wardrobe Supervisor and Costume Designer at Republic Pictures for over two decades. She also designed the costumes for other John Wayne films such as Rio Grande and Angel and the Badman.
Unlike most movie wedding gowns, this one is seen for several scenes and from all angles. We see it at the wedding reception and again when the newlyweds go home and have their first married fight.
The first look at the wedding gown is a full length shot as John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara's characters pose for a wedding portrait.
The demure gown features delicate crocheted lace (probably Irish) with a floral pattern. It has a high scalloped neck and long sleeves and forms a "v" pattern down the fitted bodice all the way to the waist.
The gathered skirt has a lace insert that also forms a "v" pattern. It stops just above the floor.
(notice the pearl-drop necklace)
The veil is gathered around the crown of the head and falls to the back of the knee.
This picture appears to have a different bouquet then the small one in the film. Notice the Duke's boutonniere.
A look at where the lace sleeves meet the bodice.
TCM announced this week the auction of Maureen O'Hara's estate. You can find it by clicking here. Be sure to click on the pdf catalog instead of just scrolling through the website, as it has an introduction by Robert Osborne and photos of Maureen O'Hara wearing some of the items being auctioned! If only I was a billionaire...
Great post! I've always loved that inserted lace in the skirt.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm regretting all the money I've spent on Christmas presents for other people, when I could have been buying myself something that was once Maureen O'Hara's.
I know, right!! If I was rich I would buy it all...
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