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October 8, 2024

Beautiful Fashion Designs by Omar Kiam in the 1940s

Born 1894 in Monterrey, Mexico, to Texan parents, American fashion and costume designer Omar Kiam returned to the United States following a stint in Paris as a student, and opened his studio in New York City, where he produced work for Broadway theatre. 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.

Fashion designs by Omar Kiam in the 1940s

In 1933, Kiam moved to Hollywood, where he headed the film costume design departments for Sam Goldwyn Productions and United Artists. One of his most notable films was the 1937 film A Star is Born, for which he dressed Janet Gaynor. He collaborated with Irene on Algiers.

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, aged 59.

Kiam won the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1941, and in 1946, won the Coty Award jointly with Vincent Monte-Sano and Clare Potter. These vintage photos captured portraits of classic beauties wearing fashion designs by Omar Kiam in the 1940s.

Model in Enka rayon crêpe dress with beautiful throat-line for necklet of pearls by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, Spring hat of black straw piled with organdie roses by Jeanne Rousseau, photo by John Rawlings, Vogue, March 1, 1945

Model in black rayon-crêpe two-piece by Omar Kiam, hat by Florence Reichman, photo by William Bell, 1945

Dorian Leigh in abstract print evening dress in rayon crêpe, leather girdled by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, gold jewelry by John Rubel, background by Marcel Vertès, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, April 1, 1946

Jessica Patton Barkentin in small-checked dress with big bloused sleeves and a deep-folded skirt belted in red leather by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, January 1946

Meg Mundy in Forstmann wool suit by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, photo by Toni Frissell, Vogue, February 15, 1946

Model in beautiful draped dress by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig at Himelhoch's, Harper's Bazaar, October 1946

Model in beautiful off-shoulder dress in jewel-embroidered rayon-chiffon by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, Vogue, October 15, 1946

Model in fluid antelope rayon jersey dress in a rich burnt almond by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, Vogue, September 15, 1946

Model in gown of ivory rayon brocade with a glint of gold and sequins by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, Harper's Bazaar, October 1946

Model in greatcoat in scarlet Forstmann wool with a turned cowl neckline and sleeves that cuff up to the elbow by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's Bazaar, February 1946

Dorian Leigh in charcoal gray Juilliard broadcloth coat by Omar Kiam fro Ben Reig, Harper's Bazaar, August 1947

Lisa Fonssagrives in a black housecoat of rayon taffeta over velvet pants by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, photo by Genevieve Naylor, Harper's Bazaar, September 1947

Natalie Paine in gown of white marquisette veiled in black Chantilly lace, black satin bodice sashed in blue grosgrain by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, Vogue, April 1, 1947

Dorian Leigh in red Forstmann cashmere-silk coat by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, photo by Horst P. Horst, Vogue, 1948

Elise Daniels in stiff silk taffeta with natural shoulder, defined bodice, narrow waist and voluminous skirt by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, photo by Richard Avedon, Harper's Bazaar, March 1948

Jean Patchett in pale blue lace gown ;with tiered skirt by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig at Neiman Marcus, Harper's Bazaar, October 1948

Lisa Fonssagrives in lovely sheer voile dress in light and dark bands by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, Harper's Bazaar, March 1948

Model in a Crêpe Beguile dress, a Patricia Jones Fabric woven with Enka Rayon, designed by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, photo by Jerry Plucer, Vogue, February 1948

Model in black crêpe dinner dress with full gored skirt and belted waist by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, diamonds by Van Cleef & Arpels, handkerchief by Bloch Frères, photo by Genevieve Naylor, Harper's Bazaar, April 1948

Model in gray worsted sharkskin suit, cuffed sleeves, wide skirt over blue taffeta rayon blouse and petticoat by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, mustard sailor by Mme. Andrée, photo by Irving Penn, Vogue, January 1948

Betty Threatt in Celanese ottoman suit by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, Vogue, September 1, 1949

Kitty Kopet in wonderful dress by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig at Harzfeld's, Vogue, September 1, 1949

Liz Benn in emerald green satin gown by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, Miriam Haskell jewels, photo by Louise Dahl-Wolfe, Harper's bazaar, October 1949

Model in an Onondaga silk costume by Omar Kiam for Ben Reig, Vogue, February 1, 1949

One-shoulder brown chiffon and satin evening dress by Omar Kiam, photo by Genevieve Naylor, 1949

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