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The Naked Truth: An Irreverent Chronicle of Delirious Escapades
Fascinating, highly candid and often uproarious, costume designer Jean-Pierre Dorléac s detailed Hollywood accounts strip back the façade from the years between 1973 and 1985, when classic glamour became a thing of the past. Through his award-winning works spanning theater, television, film, couture, burlesque and ballet, Jean-Pierre draws on firsthand, factual knowledge to paint an insider s picture of the entertainment industry.
Get a behind-the-scenes account of what it took to create the magic of Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Somewhere in Time, The Blue Lagoon and other diverse projects that brought recognition, respect and acclaim to Dorléac through Oscar, Emmys and The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards while he secured his idiosyncratic place in history as the creator of the figure-hugging, wildly popular, spandex pants.
Guided by the treasured advice of his mentor, Edith Head, Dorléac was able to successfully retain his composure in exasperating situations and skillfully maintain his balance between obstreperous actors, demanding directors and powerful producers. This is an engaging chronicle of a crucial 12-year period when the dogged pursuit of higher profits radically changed the entertainment industry and replaced singular, custom-made designs with cut-rate, ready-to-wear on rolling racks.
Get a behind-the-scenes account of what it took to create the magic of Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Somewhere in Time, The Blue Lagoon and other diverse projects that brought recognition, respect and acclaim to Dorléac through Oscar, Emmys and The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards while he secured his idiosyncratic place in history as the creator of the figure-hugging, wildly popular, spandex pants.
Guided by the treasured advice of his mentor, Edith Head, Dorléac was able to successfully retain his composure in exasperating situations and skillfully maintain his balance between obstreperous actors, demanding directors and powerful producers. This is an engaging chronicle of a crucial 12-year period when the dogged pursuit of higher profits radically changed the entertainment industry and replaced singular, custom-made designs with cut-rate, ready-to-wear on rolling racks.
392 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2015
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 26, 2019
If you would like to know the real truth about the inside workings of Hollywood, not just the glamour and gossip, take a look at my never-before-told stories about what it is like to be in the trenches on multi-million dollar productions where your taste is sometimes the determining factor in how the audience perceives a line. It's a make it or break it situation!
Somehow it is impossible for the movie going public to understand how their enigmatic favorite star can be anything but wonderful it seems. Well, it's another story dealing with a self-centered person who is NOT in any sense delightful to be with.
But on the other hand, there are many sincere, talented and great people in front of the camera as well. The book abounds with my personal involvements with such icons as Henry Fonda, Patricia Neal, Fred Astaire, Ann Miller, David Hemmings, Sarah Miles, Eleanor Parker, Anne Francis, June Lockhart, Roddy McDowall, Brooke Shields, Nancy Walker, Mae West and Jean Simmons.
Woven throughout these insightful, knowledgeable anecdotes are detailed accounts about the creative concepts, production meetings, and the development of initial sketches that precede the finding, cutting and blending of fabrics and colors to meet the complex demands of the script. Guided by my mentor, Edith Head, I was able to successfully retain my composure in exasperating situation and skillfully maintain my balance between obstreperous actors, demanding directors and powerful producers.
This is an engaging chronicle of a crucial 12-year period in Hollywood, when the dogged pursuits of higher profits radically changed the entertainment industry and replaced custom-made costumes, and actual, real costume designing, with cut-rate, ready-to wear on rolling racks.
BookPleasure.com: "THE NAKED TRUTH should be mandatory reading for anyone considering a career in fashion or design. It will not only prepare them for reality, but also inspire them to go forward. Valerie Porter
Somehow it is impossible for the movie going public to understand how their enigmatic favorite star can be anything but wonderful it seems. Well, it's another story dealing with a self-centered person who is NOT in any sense delightful to be with.
But on the other hand, there are many sincere, talented and great people in front of the camera as well. The book abounds with my personal involvements with such icons as Henry Fonda, Patricia Neal, Fred Astaire, Ann Miller, David Hemmings, Sarah Miles, Eleanor Parker, Anne Francis, June Lockhart, Roddy McDowall, Brooke Shields, Nancy Walker, Mae West and Jean Simmons.
Woven throughout these insightful, knowledgeable anecdotes are detailed accounts about the creative concepts, production meetings, and the development of initial sketches that precede the finding, cutting and blending of fabrics and colors to meet the complex demands of the script. Guided by my mentor, Edith Head, I was able to successfully retain my composure in exasperating situation and skillfully maintain my balance between obstreperous actors, demanding directors and powerful producers.
This is an engaging chronicle of a crucial 12-year period in Hollywood, when the dogged pursuits of higher profits radically changed the entertainment industry and replaced custom-made costumes, and actual, real costume designing, with cut-rate, ready-to wear on rolling racks.
BookPleasure.com: "THE NAKED TRUTH should be mandatory reading for anyone considering a career in fashion or design. It will not only prepare them for reality, but also inspire them to go forward. Valerie Porter
July 15, 2019
Jean-Pierre Dorleac (Costume Designer for Somewhere in Time, Quantum Leap, Battlestar Galactica, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and Mae West) has written a brilliant personal Hollywood history. “The Naked Truth” of offscreen Hollywood is just that. Warts and all.
He wittily tells of his work from his Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle award for Marat/Sade in 1973 through 1985’s TV show “Berrenger’s” (LoriMar Productions). The offscreen stories of rising and falling Hollywood stars are eye-opening and their onscreen personality sometimes is nowhere near their offscreen personality.
Particularly touching is his telling of his friendship with the fabulous Edith Head.
If you’re interested in the Costume Design business, “The Naked Truth” is your guidebook. I learned so much from Monsieur Dorleac’s trials and tribulations. Some of them are truly shocking: actors’ egos, studio executives’ stupidity and the power play for which everyone’s angling. They’re an eye popper. But he manages it all with grace and dignity which was not an easy thing.
He details his process from getting designs approved through fittings to execution.
Monsieur Dorleac’s writing makes you feel like you’re right next to him going through it all as well. I couldn’t put the book down and at the end, I wanted more.
“Just listen to yourself . . . and you will know what’s right. Go for it. Don’t let ANYONE squelch your dream!” —. Jean-Pierre Dorleac
He wittily tells of his work from his Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle award for Marat/Sade in 1973 through 1985’s TV show “Berrenger’s” (LoriMar Productions). The offscreen stories of rising and falling Hollywood stars are eye-opening and their onscreen personality sometimes is nowhere near their offscreen personality.
Particularly touching is his telling of his friendship with the fabulous Edith Head.
If you’re interested in the Costume Design business, “The Naked Truth” is your guidebook. I learned so much from Monsieur Dorleac’s trials and tribulations. Some of them are truly shocking: actors’ egos, studio executives’ stupidity and the power play for which everyone’s angling. They’re an eye popper. But he manages it all with grace and dignity which was not an easy thing.
He details his process from getting designs approved through fittings to execution.
Monsieur Dorleac’s writing makes you feel like you’re right next to him going through it all as well. I couldn’t put the book down and at the end, I wanted more.
“Just listen to yourself . . . and you will know what’s right. Go for it. Don’t let ANYONE squelch your dream!” —. Jean-Pierre Dorleac
May 26, 2024
Fun gossipy read. I learned A LOT about the fashion design business. I never gave much thought to costumes in movies and TV. I think I will now be more observant knowing how much thought and planning must got into it to basically become part of the background that can really make a show. I think this is something that should be taught in school that can teach how much details matter.
Mr. Dorleac also give us a good dose of Hollywood gossip and insight into the stars we only know by the persona the press offices want us to see.
Mr. Dorleac also give us a good dose of Hollywood gossip and insight into the stars we only know by the persona the press offices want us to see.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews