Omar Kiam | |
---|---|
![]() Omar Kiam in 1944 | |
Born | Alexander Kiam July 19, 1894
Monterrey, Mexico. |
Died | March 28, 1954
New York City, U.S. | (aged 59)
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Costume designer; fashion designer |
Awards | Neiman Marcus Fashion Award, 1941; Coty Award, 1946 |
Alexander "Omar" Kiam (1894 – 1954) was an American fashion designer and costume designer.
Born Alexander Kiam in Monterrey, Mexico, to Texan parents. [1] Kiam picked up the nickname "Omar" at Riverview Preparatory School in Poughkeepsie, New York. [2] He later went to the Poughkeepsie Military Academy in New York. [3] His first job as a designer was producing caps for babies for a department store in Houston. [3] Kiam chose to retain his nickname professionally, as he appreciated the link to Omar Khayyám. [4]
Following a stint in Paris as a student, Kiam returned to the United States and opened his studio in New York City, where he produced work for Broadway theatre. [3] Among the theatre productions he costumed were Dinner at Eight, the Robert E. Sherwood play Reunion in Vienna, and the Edward Sheldon and Margaret Ayer Barnes play Dishonored Lady. [5] In 1933 he moved to Hollywood, where he headed the film costume design departments for Sam Goldwyn Productions and United Artists. [3] [5] Before leaving Hollywood in 1939, Kiam also worked for independent producers David O. Selznick and Hal Roach. [3] He also worked with 20th Century Pictures. [6]
One of Kiam's most notable films was the 1937 film A Star is Born, for which he dressed Janet Gaynor. [2] He collaborated with Irene on Algiers. [5]
Omar Kiam costumed the following films: [5] [7]
Although primarily known as a costume designer Kiam had also run a wholesale fashion design business supplying clothing to shops across the United States before he moved to Hollywood. [8]
After leaving Hollywood, in 1941 Kiam became head designer for the Ben Reig fashion label, a company founded in 1929. Also designing costume jewelry for them from 1948, he worked there until his death in 1954. [9]
Kiam won the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1941, and in 1946, won the Coty Award jointly with Vincent Monte-Sano and Clare Potter. [2] During the early 1950s Liz Claiborne worked for Kiam. [10]
Kiam died 28 March 1954 at the Ritz Tower Hotel in New York City, after struggling with a sickness that lasted seven months. [11] [12]
Omar Kiam | |
---|---|
![]() Omar Kiam in 1944 | |
Born | Alexander Kiam July 19, 1894
Monterrey, Mexico. |
Died | March 28, 1954
New York City, U.S. | (aged 59)
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Costume designer; fashion designer |
Awards | Neiman Marcus Fashion Award, 1941; Coty Award, 1946 |
Alexander "Omar" Kiam (1894 – 1954) was an American fashion designer and costume designer.
Born Alexander Kiam in Monterrey, Mexico, to Texan parents. [1] Kiam picked up the nickname "Omar" at Riverview Preparatory School in Poughkeepsie, New York. [2] He later went to the Poughkeepsie Military Academy in New York. [3] His first job as a designer was producing caps for babies for a department store in Houston. [3] Kiam chose to retain his nickname professionally, as he appreciated the link to Omar Khayyám. [4]
Following a stint in Paris as a student, Kiam returned to the United States and opened his studio in New York City, where he produced work for Broadway theatre. [3] Among the theatre productions he costumed were Dinner at Eight, the Robert E. Sherwood play Reunion in Vienna, and the Edward Sheldon and Margaret Ayer Barnes play Dishonored Lady. [5] In 1933 he moved to Hollywood, where he headed the film costume design departments for Sam Goldwyn Productions and United Artists. [3] [5] Before leaving Hollywood in 1939, Kiam also worked for independent producers David O. Selznick and Hal Roach. [3] He also worked with 20th Century Pictures. [6]
One of Kiam's most notable films was the 1937 film A Star is Born, for which he dressed Janet Gaynor. [2] He collaborated with Irene on Algiers. [5]
Omar Kiam costumed the following films: [5] [7]
Although primarily known as a costume designer Kiam had also run a wholesale fashion design business supplying clothing to shops across the United States before he moved to Hollywood. [8]
After leaving Hollywood, in 1941 Kiam became head designer for the Ben Reig fashion label, a company founded in 1929. Also designing costume jewelry for them from 1948, he worked there until his death in 1954. [9]
Kiam won the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1941, and in 1946, won the Coty Award jointly with Vincent Monte-Sano and Clare Potter. [2] During the early 1950s Liz Claiborne worked for Kiam. [10]
Kiam died 28 March 1954 at the Ritz Tower Hotel in New York City, after struggling with a sickness that lasted seven months. [11] [12]