Omar Kiam
| Omar Kiam | |
|---|---|
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Omar Kiam in 1937
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| Born |
Alexander Kiam July 19, 1894 Monterrey, Mexico. |
| Died | March 28, 1954 (aged 59) New York City, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Costume designer; fashion designer |
| Awards | Neiman Marcus Fashion Award, 1941; Coty Award, 1946 |
Omar Kiam (1894-1954) was an American fashion designer and costume designer.
Born Alexander Kiam in Monterrey, Mexico, to Texan parents, Kiam picked up the nickname Omar at Riverview Preparatory School in Poughkeepsie, New York. He later went to the Poughkeepsie Military Academy in New York. His first job as a designer was producing caps for babies for a department store in Houston. Kiam chose to retain his nickname professionally, as he appreciated the link to Omar Khayyám.
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. 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. In 1933 he moved to Hollywood, where he headed the film costume design departments for Sam Goldwyn Productions and United Artists. Before leaving Hollywood in 1939, Kiam also worked for David O. Selznick and Hal Roach.
One of Kiam's most notable films was the 1937 film A Star is Born, for which he dressed Janet Gaynor. He collaborated with Irene on Algiers.
Omar Kiam costumed the following films:
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.
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