Travis Banton

Place: Waco

Born: 1894

Death: 1958

Biography:

Travis Banton was an American costume designer. He is perhaps best known for his long collaboration with actress Marlene Dietrich and director Josef von Sternberg. He is generally considered one of the most important Hollywood costume designers of the golden age. Banton was born in Waco, Texas, and moved to New York City as a child. He was educated at Columbia University and at the Art Students League of New York, where he studied art and fashion design. He opened his dressmaking salon in New York City, and he was asked to create costumes for the Ziegfeld Follies. In 1924, Banton moved to Hollywood when Paramount contracted with him to create costumes for The Dressmaker from Paris, his first film. He is best remembered for forging the style of Carole Lombard, Marlene Dietrich, and Mae West. Banton died in 1958 in Los Angeles, California.