Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on May 4, 2014 11:31:25 GMT -6
variety.com/2014/music/news/liberaces-costume-designer-michael-travis-dies-at-86-1201171404/
Michael Travis, best known for designing Liberace’s famously extravagant costumes, died on Thursday. He was 86.
He had been hospitalized last month due to serious ailments, including heart problems. He died in his Studio City home.
Though Travis designed for several other performers, he will likely be best remembered for his work for 16 years with Liberace before the performer’s death in 1987, creating the over-the-top stage outfits that would become Liberace’s signature. The two began working together in the early 1970s. The outfits were known for incorporating jewels, sequins, feathers, fur and other adornments, causing some to weigh more than 100 pounds.
One outfit that Travis designed for Liberace in 1979, widely known as the “flame” costume, included 1,600 tiny lights. Some of the costumes were inspired by royalty, being less flashy but featuring meticulous detailing. Many of the memorable costumes Travis designed are on display at the Liberace Museum.
In addition to Liberace, Travis also designed for Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross and the Supremes and Nancy Sinatra (pictured with Travis), along with a number of others.
Travis was also known for his costume designs for TV. His bio on the Costume Designers Guild website says he is “widely known as one of the most gifted and talented costume designers in American television and theater.” He worked on 1960s comedy TV hit “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” and several specials. His TV work earned him the Costume Designers Guild career achievement award for television in 2010.
Travis was born in Detroit on April 13, 1928. He served three years in the Army in postwar Europe after graduating high school. After his service, he went on to live in Paris, where he studied fashion. Upon moving to New York, he designed costumes for plays.
He worked under legendary costume designer Edith Head in after moving to Los Angeles in 1960, working on the Academy Award shows. Also after moving to L.A., Travis began his work on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” and TV specials.
In his late 40s, Travis learned he had multiple sclerosis. It was then he began to work for Las Vegas entertainers.
Travis left no survivors.
Michael Travis, best known for designing Liberace’s famously extravagant costumes, died on Thursday. He was 86.
He had been hospitalized last month due to serious ailments, including heart problems. He died in his Studio City home.
Though Travis designed for several other performers, he will likely be best remembered for his work for 16 years with Liberace before the performer’s death in 1987, creating the over-the-top stage outfits that would become Liberace’s signature. The two began working together in the early 1970s. The outfits were known for incorporating jewels, sequins, feathers, fur and other adornments, causing some to weigh more than 100 pounds.
One outfit that Travis designed for Liberace in 1979, widely known as the “flame” costume, included 1,600 tiny lights. Some of the costumes were inspired by royalty, being less flashy but featuring meticulous detailing. Many of the memorable costumes Travis designed are on display at the Liberace Museum.
In addition to Liberace, Travis also designed for Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross and the Supremes and Nancy Sinatra (pictured with Travis), along with a number of others.
Travis was also known for his costume designs for TV. His bio on the Costume Designers Guild website says he is “widely known as one of the most gifted and talented costume designers in American television and theater.” He worked on 1960s comedy TV hit “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” and several specials. His TV work earned him the Costume Designers Guild career achievement award for television in 2010.
Travis was born in Detroit on April 13, 1928. He served three years in the Army in postwar Europe after graduating high school. After his service, he went on to live in Paris, where he studied fashion. Upon moving to New York, he designed costumes for plays.
He worked under legendary costume designer Edith Head in after moving to Los Angeles in 1960, working on the Academy Award shows. Also after moving to L.A., Travis began his work on “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” and TV specials.
In his late 40s, Travis learned he had multiple sclerosis. It was then he began to work for Las Vegas entertainers.
Travis left no survivors.