1977 Golden Globe Awards in Jean Muir

“You don’t go about being in fashion in Jean Muir, you go about being in Jean Muir, which is kind of beyond fashion, you know.”

-Muir’s muse and model Joann Lumly

Image embed via https://goldenglobes.com/articles/1977-a-star-named-barbra-streisand-born-again/

Barbra Streisand wore a cascading dusty-rose-colored ensemble by Jean Muir to the Golden Globe Awards on January 29th, 1977. This was a monumental night for her 1976 film A Star is Born, which swept all five categories in which it was nominated. Streisand herself received Golden Globes for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy, and Best Original Song “Evergreen”. ¹

Photos courtesy of Julien’s Auctions https://www.juliensauctions.com/en/lots/10117/barbra-streisand-golden-globes-outfit

Streisand’s choice of outfit was extremely on point for 1977 when relaxed and fluid clothing was very trendy. Jean Muir was known for designing dresses that appeared to have minimal visual disruptions and seams and this look was no exception. Though Streisand’s outfit consisted of a tunic top and wide-leg pants, it gave the appearance of being a single, cohesive piece. In numerous photos of it taken from afar, the ensemble appears to be quite simple, however, when viewed up close, the subtle details that elevate the look are far more obvious.

“The clothes in themselves do not make a statement. The woman makes a statement and the dress helps.”
Jean Muir

Streisand’s outfit was made from jersey and was hand-dyed to achieve its unique shade of mauve. Muir rarely used decorative elements in her designs unless they served a structural purpose.² Streisand’s look showcased several of her design signatures including horizontal top-stitching on each shoulder and a ruffled neckline that cleverly concealed the pin-tucking directly beneath. Pin-tucking also accentuates each butterfly sleeve, tunic, and bottom of the pants, tying the piece together beautifully.

Streisand paired her dress with the same pendant necklace she had previously worn in the Funny Girl film, as well as her Happening in Central Park concert. She would wear the necklace again to the 1992 Academy Awards. The look was completed with a simple updo that accentuated both her curls and petite round earrings. Photos of Streisand exiting the event show her in a Reiss and Fabrizio silver fox fur coat which she wore numerous other times during this period. This Jean Muir outfit sold at Julien’s Auctions during the 2009 “Her Name Is Barbra event for $1,500. ³

*The same necklace worn in 1992, Funny Girl and at A Happening in Central Park.*

Learn more about Jean Muir by visiting https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/blue-plaques/jean-muir/#:~:text=MUIR%2C%20Jean%20(1928–1995)&text=Jean%20Muir%20is%20regarded%20as,until%20her%20death%20in%201995., https://fashiontourslondon.co.uk/jean-muir-engineer-in-cloth/ and https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-jean-muir-1621742.html.

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