Fashion Spotlight: Howard Greer

After graduating the University of Nebraska in 1916, Howard Greer was sketching for the House of Lucille in both the New York and Chicago offices. He served in the Army, which took him to France where he also worked for British designer Molyneux and avant-garde French designer Paul Poiret as well as designed for theater. Greer came back to America in 1921. His first commission was creating costumes for the Greenwich Vintage Follies in New York. Soon Hollywood called and Famous Players Lasky Studios hired Greer as chief designer. He stayed in the costume department even after Players Lasky merged with Paramount Studios. A few years into the consolidation, Greer left Paramount to open his own custom couture business until his retirement in 1962. He continued to create women's gowns for film as well as dressing actresses like Katharine Hepburn, Gloria Swanson, and Greta Garbo. Greer is best remembered for "Bringing Up Baby" and "My Favorite Wife." He was also best known for being Edith's Head mentor. He passed away in 1974.

Katharine Hepburn in
"Bringing Up Baby" (1938)