Omar Kiam

Born Alexander Kiam in Monterrey, Mexico, to Texan parents.^[1] Kiam picked up the nickname "Omar" at Riverview Preparatory School in Poughkeepsie, New York.^[2] He later went to the Poughkeepsie Military Academy in New York.^[3] His first job as a designer was producing caps for babies for a department store in Houston.^[3] Kiam chose to retain his nickname professionally, as he appreciated the link to Omar Khayyám.^[4]

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.^[3] 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.^[5] In 1933 he moved to Hollywood, where he headed the film costume design departments for Sam Goldwyn Productions and United Artists.^[3][5] Before leaving Hollywood in 1939, Kiam also worked for independent producers David O. Selznick and Hal Roach.^[3] He also worked with 20th Century Pictures.^[6]

One of Kiam's most notable films was the 1937 film A Star is Born, for which he dressed Janet Gaynor.^[2] He collaborated with Irene on Algiers.^[5]

Omar Kiam costumed the following films:^[5][7]