Cable Channel Honors Fashion Icon of Films, Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor’s influence on film fashion over five decades is examined by “Hollywood Fashion Machine” as American Movie Classics pays tribute to the actress at 5 and 11:30 p.m. Feb. 28, the day after her 68th birthday.

Famous for her clothes, jewels and beauty, Taylor has been able to keep her fans intrigued with sass, sex appeal and talent since she was a teenage star.

Taylor often experienced more drama off-screen than on. She’s been hailed as the most beautiful woman of the century and derided as the worst-dressed star.

She blew away the fashion world in a strapless Edith Head gown in “A Place in the Sun” (1951) and a tight slip in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” (1958). Five years later, at 31, she injected new meaning into glamour in “Cleopatra,” adding her own personal cosmetic look to create the Queen of the Nile with more than 60 costume changes and 30 wigs.