Orry-Kelly

Business name of John Kelley (1897-1964), an American costume designer. He formed one of the most celebrated partnerships between a costume designer and screen star with Bette Davis (like Garbo-Adrian and Dietrich-Banton). His creations influenced American women’s fashion for over 30 years: his dresses for Ingrid Bergman in Casablanca were copied by millions of women. Born in Australia, he arrived in Hollywood in 1932 and thanks to his friendship with Cary Grant he joined Warner Bros., where he worked as wardrobe director for eleven years. His most intriguing outfits for Bette Davis were those worn by the actress in Jezebel (1938). Famed for his lavish life style, his weakness for alcohol cost him his job at Warner. He then moved to Fox and from 1950 to 1964 he worked freelance for all the major American studios, though always making the costumes for Bette Davis. His formative Broadway experience proved essential for his work on the film musicals An American in Paris (1951) and Les Girls (1957), for which he won two Oscars. He won his third for Some Like it Hot (1959).