Edith Head and William Travilla: Hollywood Costume Legends

If I went to the average person and asked them if they had ever heard of Edith Head or William Travilla, chances are they would say no. However, if I showed them pictures of some of their iconic works, I bet they would recognize at least one of them. You may even be asking yourself who these two people are. Well, I am going to tell you.

I think Edith Head and William Travilla are the two most influential Hollywood fashion designers of ALL TIME. These two were in their own league and are responsible for some of the most iconic and important pieces of clothing in American film history.

Edith Head

Edith Head was born in 1897 in San Bernadino, CA. She got her start in 1923 when Paramount Pictures hired her to be a costume sketcher. She remained at the studio for a whopping forty-three years before moving to Universal, where she would finish her career. She died at the age of 83 in 1981. During her decades-long career, Head was nominated for thirty-five Academy Awards for costume design–winning eight of them. In 1999 she was inducted into the Costume Designers Guild Hall of Fame. 

Head was known for her iconic dress designs and her versatility to work with most all of Hollywood’s brightest stars during the 1930s through the 1970s. 

Head’s Most Iconic Looks

Grace Kelly, To Catch a Thief

Head was the designer for the Alfred Hitchcock movie To Catch a Thief, starring Grace Kelly and Cary Grant. This iconic blue chiffon draped dress is revered as one of the most iconic movie dresses of the 1950s and is still referenced today.

Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Quite possibly her most recognized work, Head designed Hepburn’s wardrobe in the 1961 classic  Breakfast at Tiffany’s. She worked alongside Hubert de Givenchy to create the most iconic dress in history: the little black dress, among other fantastic looks.

Grace Kelly, Rear Window

Head worked with Hitchcock frequently so when he left for Universal, she followed. Another one of her most iconic designs is Grace Kelly’s black and white gown from  Rear Window. 

There are too many iconic looks for me to list and her work is so expansive. Some other notable films she worked on include: The Sting starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, The Birds starring Tippi Hedren, Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, Sabrina starring Audrey Hepburn, and more. Needless to say, Head was running in her own league during her time as a designer and her work will always be remembered and revered as some of the best. 

William Travilla

William Travilla was born in 1920 in Los Angeles, CA. He studied fashion design in college and was hired by Warner Bros in the 40s to be actress Ann Sheridan’s personal costume designer. His work was quickly loved by the execs at the studio leading to a more permanent job. He died in 1990 at the age of 70. He won one Oscar and two Emmys for his work. 

He is best known for his work with actress, Marilyn Monroe, but like Head, worked with a myriad of celebrity elites during the golden age of Hollywood. One of his signature features was pleats which can be seen in many of his gowns.

Travilla’s Most Iconic Looks

Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch

Perhaps his most iconic design is the white dress worn my Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year Itch. It is regarded as one of the most iconic dresses of all time as Monroe stood on a subway grate causing the dress to fly up as she tries to push it down. The photo is etched into American history and is instantly recognizable. 

Marilyn Monroe, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

As mentioned, he worked mostly with Monroe so naturally his most iconic looks are hers. He did all of the costumes on her movie with Jane Russell called Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The most iconic look from the movie is a long, strapless, pink gown with a huge bow on the back which she wore to sing the song “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” The dress would go on to be recreated by Madonna, Kylie Jenner, Margot Robbie, Blake Lively and more. 

Sharon Tate, Valley of the Dolls

Travilla lent his talents to doing all of the costumes for the 1967 movie, Valley of the Dolls starring Patty Duke, Barbara Parkins, and the iconic Sharon Tate. All of her character, Jennifer North’s, outfits were over the top and chic. 

Like Head, it is hard to show all of his greatness in a few photos. His work with Marilyn Monroe has gone down in history and will forever be remembered. He would go on to work on iconic television shows such as Dallas and Knots Landing. 

Both Edith Head and William Travilla were the most iconic Hollywood costume designers in the 20th century. Their work will always be legendary and iconic and they paved the way for fashion designers and the intersection between film and fashion: two of my favorite things. 

• costume designers
• costumes
• Edith head
• fashion
• Fashion Designers
• hollywood
• old hollywood
• William travilla