René Hubert made sure that the film stars of the 1920s to 1960s could shine. The opulent volume "Costume Worlds" is now dedicated to the Oscar-winning work of the Swiss artist, who also created science fiction worlds and lent glamor to the crews of Swissair.
The multi-talented Swiss designer René Hubert (1895-1976) helped shape international film history between 1920 and 1960. In the truest sense of the word, as a costume and set designer, textile and fashion designer, he not only dressed stars such as Gloria Swanson, Marlene Dietrich, Ingrid Bergmann and Shirley Temple in famous Hollywood films - 36 costumes for Jean Simmons in "Desiree" (1954) alone, where he skillfully juggled between historical accuracy and American prudery in the low necklines. Which at least earned him an Oscar nomination. He was also responsible for the sets of such legendary films as "Asphalt" (1929), René Clair's first sound film "Under the Roofs of Paris" (1930), "The Three from the Gas Station" (1930) and the famous Duke Ellington revue "Jump for Joy" (1941). The futuristic costumes for "Things to Come" (1936) even led to the first cosplay precursors.
He also created stage sets for various major revue theaters, but also designed private wardrobes for the stars and fabrics for Swiss companies. A true cosmopolitan, he moved from studios and theaters in Paris, Berlin, London and Hollywood. His designs are characterized by glamour, opulence and colourfulness, even for black and white films, where the colour composition had to be specially chosen. It was a different story at Swissair, for whom Hubert designed the interiors of the airplanes and the uniforms of the flight attendants from the 1950s onwards. Here, elegance, practicality and functionality were just as important as an unmistakable appearance, which was also conveyed through advertising and corporate design.
That Hamilton Woman (1941)
(1941)
A generously illustrated publication now pays tribute to the diverse, often style-defining work of the international Swiss artist: Andreas Janser (ed.): René Hubert. Worlds of Costume. 248 pages with 275 illustrations. Lars Müller Publishers, 45,- Euro
Text: Herbert Lechner
All images: © Collection Cinémathèque suisse, Lausanne
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