Original Cleopatra Costume Illustration by Irene Sharaff

Original illustration by costume designer Irene Sharaff of a yellow gown worn by Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film “Cleopatra,” including a handwritten dedication from Sharaff to Taylor. Elizabeth had a record-setting 65 costume changes throughout the film, and illustrations were only created for the most important costumes, including this gown featured in a scene of Cleopatra’s first visit to Rome.

Sharaff’s designs pulled inspiration from Egyptian life and history, reimagining ancient civilization to modern times. The elegant costume was constructed in flowing canary yellow chiffon, with a plunging neckline, a fitted waistline stitched with horizontal and vertical pleats, and a long shawl draped over one shoulder. The complete look would later be echoed by the dress that Elizabeth wore for her first wedding to Richard Burton — perhaps a tribute to the fact that this particular scene was the first shot in Italy between Taylor and Burton during the production of “Cleopatra”, marking the beginning of their epic love story. 

In addition to her Oscar-winning costumes for “Cleopatra”, Sharaff went on to design pieces worn by Elizabeth for “The Sandpiper,” “Taming of the Shrew,” and “Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?,” curating some of the most iconic looks of Elizabeth’s film career.⁠