A long overdue celebration of the career and achievements of Travis Banton, one of the preeminent costume/fashion designers of Hollywood’s Celebrated “Golden Age.” Banton was responsible for creating the on-screen images of such legendary actresses as Carole Lombard, Claudette Colbert, Mae West, and most notably Marlene Dietrich.
An introduction to the career of Travis Banton, one of the preeminent costume/fashion designers of Hollywood’s Celebrated “Golden Age.” Working at Paramount Pictures from 1925 through 1938, Banton was responsible for creating the on-screen images of such legendary actresses as Carole Lombard, Claudette Colbert, Mae West, and most notably Marlene Dietrich. His peers were Gilbert Adrian at MGM and Orry-Kelly at Warner Brothers; one of his proteges was the legendary designer Edith Head. Eschewing a potentially lucrative legal career, Banton attended the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts, the first school in New York City to offer courses in fashion design. This led to positions with the most famous and successful couturiéres of the day, the British Lady Duff-Gordon and Madame Frances who, despite her name, lived and worked in the United States. They both served as a training ground for Banton’s eventual move to Paramount Pictures in 1925. This celebration of his career and achievements is long overdue.
Howard Gutner first became interested in the Hollywood studio system and its traditional blend of business and art while attending the film studies program at Northwestern University. In 2001 he published Gowns by Adrian: The MGM Years1928–1941 (Harry N. Abrams). This book was the first comprehensive review of Adrian’s career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Gutners most recent book is MGM Style: Cedric Gibbons and the Art of the Golden Age of Hollywood. He lives in Schaumburg, Illinois.
Preface Chapter One: The Boy from Waco, Lady Duff-Gordon, and Madame Frances Chapter Two: The Early Years at Paramount Chapter Three: The Dietrich Image Chapter Four: Colbert Chic Chapter Five: The Lombard Look Chapter Six: The Whimsy of Mae West
Epilogue
Gowns by Adrian
…a definitive look at Hollywood’s legendary designer.
— The New York Times
MGM Style: Cedric Gibbons and the Art of the Golden Age of Hollywood
...a visually luxurious, information-rich look at MGM designer Cedric Gibbons. This trip back to Hollywoods Golden Age will be a treat for any movie buff, and perhaps also inspiration for tomorrows filmmakers.
— Publishers Weekly
“The fashions of old Hollywood, and the man who helped define them . . . [F]un and amply illustrated . . . This book will appeal to cinema fans, fashion enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys juicy gossip . . . [a] welcome recognition of one of cinemas most important designers.”
— Kirkus Reviews
"Illustrated throughout with film stills, publicity images, and costume sketches, Gutner’s detailed work will appeal to serious aficionados of film and fashion.”
— Library Journal
