Paula Giokaris: Costume Design Art

A Special Fashion Week Exhibition

CODA Gallery is pleased to present a special exhibition during Fashion Week El Paseo, March 19 – 26: The Costume Design Art of Paula Giokaris. Originally from Kansas City, Paula Giokaris moved to Hollywood in 1944 to pursue her career as a motion picture costume designer and was quickly discovered by Irene Lentz, famous head of the MGM Costume Department. Paula’s notoriety spread quickly, and she was stolen away from MGM by another famous costume designer, Kay Nelson, who gave Paula her own first office/art studio in the 20th Century Fox Lot. Paula’s first assignment at Fox was a Noir Film called Dark Corner starring Lucille Ball in 1945. An original costume design sketch of Lucille Ball as well as other drawings of notable celebrities from Paula’s illustrious career such as Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, Rock Hudson, and Yul Brynner will be on view in the exhibition. Many of Paula’s sketches toured in the “National Art Exhibit of Motion Picture Costumes,” which was on view in the late 1970s at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In addition, a vintage French Gone with the Wind poster (Autant En Emporte Le Vent) with an original Top Hat and Tails costume from the 1939 movie will be on view.

Paula’s nephew, producer/editor/director Nicholas Eliopoulos, will curate and answer questions about the exhibition at an opening reception on Friday, March 18, from 4-7 pm; the exhibition continues until March 26.