Travilla ?the Lost Collection? Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel
Published 28th Sep 2007 by Emily Blake

Sensational news for Monroe fans and fashion devotees! A collection of iconic costumes worn by the legendary film star are to be exhibited in the UK after forty years in hiding.  William Travilla, the Oscar winning costume designer produced many legendary pieces for a plethora of Hollywood stars and Studios. His hidden works are coming to the UK to celebrate his lifetime achievements and raise funds for Alzheimer’s. The first collection will showcase his illustrious Monroe pieces which include some of her most memorable costumes,

both on and off screen.

Following Marilyn’s death, Travilla vowed to protect his good friends’ memory. While many pieces were sold by the Studio, Travilla placed his items and designs under lock and key in his private quarters. Hence, the collection became known as The Lost Collection.

Travilla passed away in 1990 leaving his lifetime works to Bill Sarris. It is now the wish of Bill Sarris, partner of Bill Travilla, owner of Travilla, Inc., and friend of Ms. Monroe that these iconic and priceless items of fashion and art history be displayed in a manner respectful to the memory of Bill Travilla and Marilyn Monroe. Bill Sarris also hopes to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer charities too, a disease he now sadly suffers from, via the series of Travilla exhibitions.

The Monroe exhibition will be the first in a series of Travilla UK exhibitions. From Tuesday 2nd to Sunday 7th of October, fans can visit the collection at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel . A location Bill Sarris felt Marilyn would have simply adored.

The collection will include six original dresses, patterns and sketches from some of the most famous dresses ever made including;
• The pink satin dress from “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (diamonds are a girls best friend)
• The White dress from “The Seven Year Itch” (the legendary subway scene!)
• The purple satin costume from “How to Marry a Millionaire”
• The gold lame dress briefly seen in “Gentleman Prefer Blondes” and also worn to receive an award for America’s Fastest Rising Star in 1952
• The red sequin dress worn in the opening scenes of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”.
(See travillacollection.com for images and further details of the exhibition pieces.)

One particularly special piece is a halter crepe dress which was made and loaned to Marilyn by Travilla and personally worn at an event before being returned - it had very special meaning to Mr. Travilla since it was made for his "friend" and not related to a studio or any film.

Andrew Hansford, a friend of Travilla inc., is responsible for bringing the collection to the UK. He says: “This is what Monroe fans have been waiting for! Never before have these items left the Travilla private estate so it’s the first time people can get close to Marilyn and experience iconic Marilyn memorabilia.”

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