Irene Sharaff (January 23, 1910 – August 16, 1993) was an American costume designer for stage and screen.
After working as a fashion illustrator in her youth, Sharaff turned to set and costume design.
[1] Sharaff's work was featured in the movies West Side Story (Academy Award, 1961), Cleopatra (Academy Award, 1963), Meet Me in St. Louis, Hello, Dolly!, Mommie Dearest, The Other Side of Midnight, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
The award is now bestowed annually to a costume designer who, over the course of his or her career, has achieved great distinction and mastery of the art in theatre, film, opera or dance.
[2][3] Sharaff died in New York City of congestive heart failure, complicated by emphysema, at the age of 83.