Museum exhibits collection of Marilyn Monroe?s designer

[Fibre2fashion]

courtesy: Juliens Auctions

 

An exclusive exhibition to celebrate the work of Academy Award winning designer William Travilla, who dressed the famous Hollywood diva Marilyn Monroe, has opened at the Newbridge Museum of Style Icons (MOSI) in Ireland.

 

The museum is hosting the ‘Collection of Travilla’ for a limited period till September 30, 2013, to showcase the legendary designer’s iconic outfits designed for the Hollywood star and other renowned actors of that era.

 

The never seen before collection was bequeathed to the late designer’s partner when he passed away in 1990, and this is the first time it is being displayed anywhere in the world.

 

Costumes displayed at the exhibition include the Monroe/Andy Warhol Blue Tribute Dress created for an Andy Warhol memorial service at the Beverly Hilton which mimics the famous ‘Seven Year Itch Dress’.

 

The exhibition also includes the Marilyn Monroe ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ inspired gown by Travilla, featuring the gold lame sunburst halter gown design; a ‘Gentlemen Prefer Brunettes’ Travilla sketch; the designer’s ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ Academy Award plaque; a 1953 Travilla ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ costume sketch and several other pieces.

 

The museum also displays the designer’s personal effects, sewing room artifacts, Oscar patterns and original watercolor renderings.

 

Although Marilyn Monroe remained his muse, Travilla also designed for other iconic women of film and music industry including Dionne Warwick, Whitney Houston, Faye Dunaway, Judy Garland, Sharon Tate, Jane Russell, Betty Grable, Lana Turner, Diahann Carroll, Susan Hayward, Loretta Young, Joanne Woodward, Barbara Stanwyck and many more. 

 

Other highlights from Travilla’s personal collection include a brown chocolate Betty Grable dress worn in ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’, a black satin Linda Gray ‘Dallas’ Travilla gown from the 1980's and Travilla’s Emmy Award for ‘Dallas’.

 

In addition to his achievements in Hollywood, the designer also created a successful high-end fashion line that spanned several decades with many of his creations being directly influenced by the costumes he created for film and television.

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