A Hawaiian Beginning: Origins of a Collector

Born in the Territory of Hawai'i, Leonard Stanley’s childhood was marked by proximity to grandeur and artistic creation. He spent his early years wandering the construction site of Doris Duke's Shangri La, a magnificent Islamic-style estate being built on the cliffs of Diamond Head, Honolulu. This early exposure to artistic creation, architectural beauty, and a mix of cultures left a lasting impression on Stanley, foreshadowing his future career in interior design. It was in Honolulu, however, that Stanley’s lifelong fascination with Hollywood began.

At just nine years old, after seeing Lady of the Tropics (1939) starring Hedy Lamarr, Leonard became captivated by the glamour of the silver screen. He began clipping images of movie stars from magazines and newspapers, building a collection that would later grow into an extraordinary archive of Hollywood photography. By the time he was 11, with the support of his mother, Stanley had amassed a collection of movie star portraits and scrapbooks dedicated to the costume designs of famed Hollywood designer Adrian. This early passion for collecting would define Stanley’s entire life.

Stanley’s collection included over 7,000 images, ranging from formal portraits by famous society photographers like Cecil Beaton and Horst, to candid snapshots of Hollywood legends such as Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford. His vast archive of Hollywood studio photography and costume design sketches stands as a testament to his dedication to preserving the cultural history of an era.

Hollywood and High Society: The Duquette Years

In 1951, Stanley moved to Los Angeles, bringing with him a deep love of Hollywood glamour. His career began under the wing of the legendary designer Tony Duquette, working first in Duquette's retail shop at The Beverly Hills Hotel, and later residing at Duquette Studio for nearly a decade. This period not only connected Stanley to Hollywood's artistic and social elite but also deepened his understanding of design, art, and cultural preservation.

During his time with Duquette, Stanley met iconic figures like Adrian and Janet Gaynor, which further inspired his growing collection of costume design. His fascination with film and fashion design blossomed into a more focused passion for costume sketches, leading to an unparalleled collection of works from renowned Hollywood designers like Edith Head, Cecil Beaton and Walter Plunkett. By the 1970s, Stanley had established his own design firm and was catering to a list of high-profile clients that included Warren Beatty, Jennifer Jones, and Eva Gabor.

Over years of friendship with celebrated fashion designer Gilbert Adrian, Stanley amassed an impressive collection of art and objects, which has been documented through his book "Adrian: A Lifetime of Movie Glamour, Art, and High Fashion" (Rizzoli, 2019). The auction will present the largest private collection known of Adrian’s visual art from the 1920s to 1950s, mostly acquired from the artist’s estate.

The Elsie de Wolfe Connection

One of the most significant influences on Stanley's design philosophy was the legendary Elsie de Wolfe, often credited with creating the modern field of interior decorating. Stanley’s design career was profoundly shaped by his admiration for de Wolfe's transitional style—her ability to blend the opulence of the past with a fresh, modern sensibility.

In 1957, Stanley was awarded a travel scholarship by The Elsie de Wolfe Foundation, which allowed him to embark on a post-war version of the European Grand Tour. This experience, guided by Duquette's influential connections, exposed Stanley to the grandest homes, museums, and cultural landmarks of Europe. He visited Roderick Cameron’s La Fiorentina, Chanel’s apartment in Paris, and even spent time with the famed artist Eugène Berman in Rome.

These experiences enriched Stanley’s aesthetic, transforming him into a socially savvy connoisseur with a deeply informed design sensibility. Much like de Wolfe, Stanley believed that great design was about more than aesthetics; it was about creating a livable environment that balanced beauty and function. He carried this philosophy with him throughout his career, often designing spaces that integrated high art into everyday life.

The auction will feature an extensive archive of Elsie de Wolfe memorabilia, the most comprehensive ever to come to auction. This includes 35 scrapbooks and photo albums, housing photographs, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, invitations, telegrams, and drawings, offering a rare glimpse into de Wolfe's life.  

The Collector’s Eye: Preserving Hollywood’s Glamour

Stanley’s personal life and professional career were defined by his passion for collecting. His Hollywood Hills residence, featured in Architectural Digest in 1976, was a true reflection of his maximalist taste. The home was filled with a mix of 18th-century French antiques, Chinese porcelain, Italian tapestries, and Oceanic art, all set against lush greenery.

Design historian and Curator, Kohle Yohannan, once remarked that Stanley “embraced chance, whimsy, and delight,” and this was evident in his daring willingness to juxtapose seemingly unrelated objects—placing fine art alongside everyday items, blending high culture with popular culture. Stanley’s eclectic collection also included more personal objects, such as the set of rope-slung patio chairs crafted by Walter Lamb from the wreckage of the sunken ships at Pearl Harbor. These chairs, like so many of the items Stanley collected, represented not only artistic beauty, but also a poignant connection to history.

Legacy of an Icon

Leonard Stanley’s life and work spanned the worlds of design, art, and cultural preservation. As he once said, “It’s not just about the value of the pieces; it’s about the stories they tell.” This philosophy was evident in every aspect of his life, from his meticulously designed interiors to his vast collection of ephemera.

As we look back on the life of Leonard Stanley, it is clear that his legacy will continue to inspire collectors, designers, and lovers of Hollywood glamour for generations to come. His upcoming estate auction offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of history from one of the most discerning collectors of the 20th century, a man whose life was a true celebration of art, design, and the magic of the silver screen.