Identity area
Reference code
Beaton/D/1/3/20
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 21 September 1954 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
1p paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Photographer, artist, writer, and designer of scenery and costumes. Educated at Harrow and St John's College, Cambridge, 1922-5. Made his name as a photographer through portraits of the Sitwells. Employed by Vogue in London and New York. Published 'The Book of Beauty' (1930). Photographed the Duke of Windsor's wedding, 1937. War photographer, 1939-45. Designed 'Lady Windermere's Fan', 1945. Designed costumes for 'An Ideal Husband' and 'Anna Karenina', 1948. Worked on 'The School for Scandal', 1949, 'Quadrille' for Noel Coward, 1952, 'Turandot', 1961, and 'La Traviata', 1966. Designed costumes for 'My Fair Lady', 1956, and for the film version in Hollywood, 1963. His play 'The Gainsborough Girls', 1951 and 1959, was unsuccessful. Published 'The Glass of Fashion' (1954), and six volumes of diaries. Exhibited photographs at the National Portrait Gallery, 1968. Knighted 1972.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Typewritten letter, regarding the signature of the contracts for "Portrait of a Lady", and expressing Beaton's disappointment that "The Chalk Garden" appears to have been momentarily shelved. He writes that the directors, Austin and Noyes, appear concerned about the cost of the costumes and suggests that it will be necessary for them to discuss such considerations with Helen Pons, whom, he writes, he is certain will charge a fair price. There are five evening dresses which he believes will be expensive, however, they will not be more so than those of any other designer.