Arthouse licensing are proud to represent the estate of William Travilla. The extensive collection consisting of sketches, patterns, photographs and original dresses are now available to license on a variety of product. Born in California in 1920, William “Billy” Travilla first started selling pencil sketches of dress designs when he was sixteen. He began to work in Hollywood in 1942 and gradually became more successful. Working for Warner in 1949 he earned an Oscar for the design of Errol Flynn’s costume in the swashbuckler The Adventures of Don Juan.

When he left Warner for a job at 20th Century Fox, Travilla met Marilyn Monroe, a meeting which would change both their lives. The duo worked together on eight films, had a steamy affair, and styled some of the most recognised gowns in film history. The persona of Marilyn Monroe and the glamorous style of Travilla combined to create a force that influences fashion to this day. In 1953 Travilla created the most iconic dress in cinema history: the white halter neck dress from “The Seven Year Itch.” The dress made its mark on pop culture when Marilyn Monroe walked over a New York City subway and an icon was born. Marilyn once wrote to Travilla: “Billy, dear, please dress me forever. I love you".

- Gentlemen Prefer Blonds - The Thorn Birds - Valley of the Dolls - Bus Stop - The Seven Year Itch - Dallas - River of No Return - How to Marry a Millionaire - Francis Connor - Evita

The House of Travilla is the longest running couture business in the world. Not only did Travilla design costumes he created clothes for personal appearances, haute couture and even for airline unforms.

“Dressing Marilyn – How a Hollywood Icon was styled by William Travilla.” published by Carlton October 2011. This collectable book covers all the dresses Travilla designed for Marilyn’s personal appearances and films. It is the first in a series of books about Travilla’s work. The next book will feature Travilla’s costume designs for the TV series Dallas. The famous white dress from “The Seven Year Itch” sold recently for $5.6 million, 3 other Travilla dresses are up for auction in December. June 2012 will be the 50th anniversary of Marilyn’s death – anything to do with Marilyn will be in demand. An exhibition of Travilla’s work will be held in Paris in Le Grand Palais October 2012. Other touring exhibitions are in the planning stage.

Several highly successful licensing agreements are already in place with the Travilla collection. Five Dollar Shake worked with the Travilla estate to create a range of hand finished cards using Swarovski crystals, winning a Henry for 'Best Greeting-Cards Art Range'. Additional licenses include Hendersons Watches inspired by Travilla’s most famous dresses designed for Marilyn and a range of découpage sheets, toppers and rubber stamps, launched in 2011 by Personal Impressions. Imagine what the Travilla brand could do to enhance your product.