Born in Petropavlosk, Russia. Active in Soviet theater 1924, when he went to Germany, then to France. He created the costumes for many important French films. He also wrote three books, En Habillant les Vedettes (Dressing the Stars), Russian Stage and Costume Designs for the Ballet, Opera and Theatre and Max Ophüls, the last an account of his long association with that noted director, with whose work his own career is closely associated. Non-nominated costume design credits include MAYERLING (1936), THE SHANGHAI DRAMA (1938), LOUISE (1939), QUEEN'S NECKLACE (1946), BLACK MAGIC (1949), LA RONDE (1950), LE PLAISIR (1952), LOLA MONTÉS (1955) and his final film MONTPARNASSE 19 (1958).  Nominated for Costume Design (Black & White) 1954: THE EARRINGS OF MADAME DE... (w. Rosine Delamare) 1 nomination