André-ani

Clément Henri Andreani was the son of Italian immigrants Massimo Andreani and Angiolina Reali, who arrived in the United States in 1888. Orphaned at an early age and suffering from a spinal deformity, he was cared for by his aunt Quinta. Friends, noting his artistic abilities, helped him to take art classes in San Francisco.^[1]

At age 16 he began working for the Selectasine Serigraphics Company in San Francisco. He later made use of the screen printing skills he obtained there, printing designs directly onto fabric for costumes.^[1]

By the early 1920s, André-ani was teaching at the School of Costume Designing in Los Angeles. Hollywood socialite Peggy Hamilton helped promote his work in her newspaper columns and fashion shows.^[2]

In 1925 he was hired by MGM, taking the place of head designer Erté in dressing stars such as Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo. He went to work for Universal Pictures in 1928.^[1][3]