Renie Conley
Encyclopedia
For over three decades, Renie Conley (31 July 1901 - 12 June 1992) was a prominent Hollywood costume designer
noted for clothing the stars in subtle, elegant outfits, as can be seen in the eponymous costume
s Ginger Rogers
wore as the glamorous all-American working girl in Kitty Foyle
(1940). She got her start designing theatre sets and then working as a sketch artist for Paramount
. In 1937, she became a costume designer for RKO. She remained with the studio, attiring its biggest stars until the 50s when she started freelancing. In addition to films, Renie's work can also be seen on such television series as Haywire
(1990-1991). In 1963, Renie's costumes for the ill-fated Cleopatra
earned her an Oscar
(she received four other nominations). For a while, she also designed costumes for 'Shipstead & Johnson's Ice Follies'.
She also designed the costumes for the 1942 film A Date With the Falcon.
Conley was an adherent of the Church of Christ, Scientist
who contended that her faith enabled her to overcome worldly ambition, putting her work on an unselfish and solid foundation (A Century of Christian Science Healing (Boston: Christian Science Publishing Society, 1966), 191-193).
Costume Designer
A costume designer or costume mistress/master is a person whose responsibility is to design costumes for a film or stage production. He or she is considered an important part of the "production team", working alongside the director, scenic and lighting designers as well as the sound designer. The...
noted for clothing the stars in subtle, elegant outfits, as can be seen in the eponymous costume
Kitty Foyle (dress)
A Kitty Foyle is a dress style of the 1940s characterized by a dark fabric and contrasting light collar and cuffs, typically of navy blue and white. The shape of the dress is a shirtwaist with short or elbow-length sleeves...
s Ginger Rogers
Ginger Rogers
Ginger Rogers was an American actress, dancer, and singer who appeared in film, and on stage, radio, and television throughout much of the 20th century....
wore as the glamorous all-American working girl in Kitty Foyle
Kitty Foyle (film)
Kitty Foyle, subtitled The Natural History of a Woman, is a 1940 film starring Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan, James Craig, Ernest Cossart and Gladys Cooper.-Plot:...
(1940). She got her start designing theatre sets and then working as a sketch artist for Paramount
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
. In 1937, she became a costume designer for RKO. She remained with the studio, attiring its biggest stars until the 50s when she started freelancing. In addition to films, Renie's work can also be seen on such television series as Haywire
Haywire (TV series)
Haywire is a sketch comedy television series which was aired by Fox Broadcasting Company as part of its 1990-91 lineup. Haywire included segments such as:...
(1990-1991). In 1963, Renie's costumes for the ill-fated Cleopatra
Cleopatra (1963 film)
Cleopatra is a 1963 British-American-Swiss epic drama film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. The screenplay was adapted by Sidney Buchman, Ben Hecht, Ranald MacDougall, and Mankiewicz from a book by Carlo Maria Franzero. The film starred Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Roddy...
earned her an Oscar
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
(she received four other nominations). For a while, she also designed costumes for 'Shipstead & Johnson's Ice Follies'.
She also designed the costumes for the 1942 film A Date With the Falcon.
Conley was an adherent of the Church of Christ, Scientist
Church of Christ, Scientist
The Church of Christ, Scientist was founded in 1879 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, by Mary Baker Eddy. She was the author of the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Christian Science teaches that the "allness" of God denies the reality of sin, sickness, death, and the material world...
who contended that her faith enabled her to overcome worldly ambition, putting her work on an unselfish and solid foundation (A Century of Christian Science Healing (Boston: Christian Science Publishing Society, 1966), 191-193).
External links
- IMDB entry for Renié.